U.S. patent application number 09/886525 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-27 for method and apparatus for displaying multiple images of musical score data on screen of display.
Invention is credited to Uehara, Haruki.
Application Number | 20010054347 09/886525 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18686995 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010054347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uehara, Haruki |
December 27, 2001 |
Method and apparatus for displaying multiple images of musical
score data on screen of display
Abstract
A musical score display apparatus is installed in a grand piano
to display multiple images of pages of a musical score of a
prescribed musical tune on the screen. Each of the multiple images
of the musical score is divided into the prescribed number of
sections, each of which corresponds to at least a prescribed length
of a staff for arranging notes in musical notation and which are
vertically arranged at different positions on the screen. In
addition, different background colors are assigned to odd-numbered
pages and even-numbered pages of the musical score respectively.
The multiple images of the musical score are automatically and
sequentially changed over section by section on the screen, so that
the background colors are correspondingly changed over section by
section on the screen. Herein, the images of the musical score are
sequentially changed over section by section without changing the
positions of the sections being fixed on the screen. Alternatively,
it is possible to vertically scroll the images of the musical score
section by section on the screen. Incidentally, each section is
changed over in content and background color upon a lapse of a
prescribed time, which is preset in advance in accordance with
musical performance or progression of the section. Hence, the user
is able to visually recognize changeovers of the multiple images of
the musical score on the screen with ease by detecting changeovers
of the background colors being respectively assigned to consecutive
pages of the musical score.
Inventors: |
Uehara, Haruki;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David L. Fehrman
Morrison & Foerster LLP
35th Floor
555 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles
CA
90013
US
|
Family ID: |
18686995 |
Appl. No.: |
09/886525 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/477R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 15/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
84/477.00R |
International
Class: |
G09B 015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2000 |
JP |
2000-186917 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A data display method comprising the steps of: providing a
series of data representing a plurality of images that are to be
successively displayed on a screen in a prescribed order; and
automatically changing styles of display between adjacent images
that are to be sequentially displayed on the screen, so that the
images being sequentially updated are respectively accompanied with
different styles of display on the screen.
2. A data display method according to claim 1 wherein the styles of
display correspond to background colors or background patterns.
3. A data display method according to claim 1 further comprising
the steps of: automatically dividing each of the images into a
plurality of sections that are simultaneously displayed on the
screen; setting positions at which the plurality of sections are
respectively displayed on the screen; and sequentially updating the
images section by section without changing the positions set to the
plurality of sections respectively.
4. A data display method according to claim 2 further comprising
the steps of: automatically dividing each of the images into a
plurality of sections that are simultaneously displayed on the
screen; setting positions at which the plurality of sections are
respectively displayed on the screen; and sequentially updating the
images section by section without changing the positions set to the
plurality of sections respectively.
5. A data display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein the data correspond to musical score data representing a
musical score of a prescribed musical tune that is configured by a
plurality of pages corresponding to the plurality of images
respectively.
6. A data display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein the data correspond to musical score data representing a
musical score of a prescribed musical tune that is configured by a
plurality of pages respectively corresponding to the plurality of
images, which are successively changed over on the screen in
accordance with progression of musical performance of the musical
score.
7. A musical score display method comprising the steps of:
providing a series of musical score data representing images of
consecutive pages of a musical score of a prescribed musical tune,
which are successively displayed on a screen; dividing each of the
images of the consecutive pages of the musical score into a
plurality of sections, each of which corresponds to at least a
prescribed length of a staff for arranging notes in musical
notation and which are arranged at different positions on the
screen in its vertical direction; assigning different background
colors to odd-numbered pages and even-numbered pages of the musical
score respectively, so that the odd-numbered pages and the
even-numbered pages are displayed with the different background
colors respectively on the screen; and automatically changing over
the images section by section on the screen in response to time
count data representing a prescribed time by which each section is
to be played.
8. A musical score display method according to claim 7 wherein the
plurality of sections are displayed at fixed positions on the
screen, so that the images are changed over section by section
without changing the positions of the sections on the screen.
9. A musical score display method according to claim 7 wherein
automatically changing the images is realized by vertically
scrolling the plurality of sections on the screen.
10. A data display apparatus comprising: a data provider for
providing a series of data representing a plurality of images that
are to be successively displayed on a screen in a prescribed order;
and a display style changer for automatically changing styles of
display between adjacent images that are to be sequentially
displayed on the screen, so that the images being sequentially
updated are respectively accompanied with different styles of
display on the screen.
11. A musical score display apparatus comprising: a provider for
providing a series of musical score data representing images of
consecutive pages of a musical score of a prescribed musical tune,
which are successively displayed on a screen; a divider for
dividing each of the images of the consecutive pages of the musical
score into a plurality of sections, each of which corresponds to at
least a prescribed length of a staff for arranging notes in musical
notation and which are arranged at different positions on the
screen in its vertical direction; an assigner for assigning
different background colors to odd-numbered pages and even-numbered
pages of the musical score respectively, so that the odd-numbered
pages and the even-numbered pages are displayed with the different
background colors respectively on the screen; and an image changer
for automatically changing over the images section by section on
the screen in response to time count data representing a prescribed
time by which each section is to be played.
12. A machine-readable media storing programs that cause a computer
coupled with a display to perform a data display method comprising
the steps of providing a series of data representing a plurality of
images that are to be successively displayed on a screen of the
display in a prescribed order; and automatically changing styles
between adjacent images that are to be sequentially displayed on
the screen of the display, so that the images being sequentially
updated are respectively accompanied with different styles on the
screen.
13. A machine-readable media storing programs that cause a computer
coupled with a display to perform a musical score display method
comprising the steps of: providing a series of musical score data
representing images of consecutive pages of a musical score of a
prescribed musical tune, which are successively displayed on a
screen of the display; dividing each of the images of the
consecutive pages of the musical score into a plurality of
sections, each of which corresponds to at least a prescribed length
of a staff for arranging notes in musical notation and which are
arranged at different positions on the screen in its vertical
direction; assigning different background colors to odd-numbered
pages and even-numbered pages of the musical score respectively, so
that the odd-numbered pages and the even-numbered pages are
displayed with the different background colors respectively on the
screen; and automatically changing over the images section by
section on the screen in response to time count data representing a
prescribed time by which each section is to be played.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for
displaying multiple images or pictures of data, particularly
multiple images of musical score data on screens of displays.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, various ideas are proposed as methods for
successively displaying multiple images of data on a single screen
of a display. One method is to instantaneously change over the
present image with the next one on the screen, and another method
is to scroll the data across the screen vertically or horizontally.
According to the scroll display method, for example, an entire area
of the screen is divided into multiple sections by units of lines.
Scrolling information across the screen vertically, the display
stops displaying an uppermost line of data which is originally
displayed on the uppermost line on the screen, while shifting other
lines of data upwards on the screen. In addition, new data is
displayed at the lowermost line on the screen. Thus, it is possible
to vertically scroll the information across the screen line by
line.
[0005] It is possible to propose another idea as a method for
successively displaying multiple images of data on a single screen
of the display, which is described below.
[0006] First, data of multiple images are divided into data of
pages (or multiple page data), each of which is further divided
into data of sections or passages. Display positions are set to the
data of sections respectively. The aforementioned operations are
repeated to successively divide the page data into the data of
sections and to set the display positions to them respectively. In
order to change over data of a certain page with data of a next
page on the screen, the data are successively changed over with new
ones with respect to sections respectively. That is, the content of
display is not entirely changed over at once but is partially
changed over every section on the screen.
[0007] In contrast to the scroll display method, the aforementioned
method does not entirely move the content of display vertically on
the screen. In other words, the content of display is successively
changed over every section from the present page to the next
page.
[0008] Certain kinds of data do not substantially change contents
thereof among multiple images being sequentially displayed on the
screen. In other words, these data apparently resemble each other
among the multiple images being displayed on the screen. Therefore,
users may have difficulty in discriminating between contents of the
multiple images being changed over on the screen. For example, it
is possible to list musical score data that are basically
configured by notes and staves, which may be hard to discriminate.
That is, images of musical scores are successively displayed on the
screen of the display on the basis of the musical score data.
Herein, each of images of the musical score data being successively
displayed on the screen is configured by notes arranged on staves
in musical notation. Each image shows the same staves at the same
positions on the screen whereas each image shows different notes
(or the same notes). So, even when the display changes over images
on the screen, the user may have a difficulty in visually
recognizing a changeover of the images on the screen. Particularly,
if the user watches the screen again after the user takes his/her
eyes off from the screen, it is likely that the user will fail to
notice the changeover of the images on the screen. If the user
plays a musical instrument while watching the musical scores being
displayed on the screen, it is necessary for the user to grasp
successively changing contents of the musical score in real time on
the screen. Therefore, the user may have a great difficulty in
playing the musical instrument because of his/her inability to
discriminate changeovers of images of the musical scores on the
screen.
[0009] The aforementioned scroll display method partially changes
over the images on the screen, however, it also has problems
similar to those caused by instantaneously and entirely changing
over the images on the screen. Musical scores contain different
contents of musical notation, however, which may apparently
resemble each other. When successively displaying similar musical
score data on the screen, it is very difficult for the user to
accurately detect whether the musical score data are scrolled or
not.
[0010] Different from the scroll display method, the aforementioned
method does not cause movement of data entirely across the screen
in displaying multiple images of data on the screen. According to
this method that does not move data items on the screen, it is
possible to reduce the probability that the user will overlook the
content of data presently displayed on the screen. However, this
method causes changeovers of the images on the screen with respect
to the sections respectively. As similar to the scroll display
method, this method also has problems due to the user's inability
to discriminate changeovers of the images on the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a data display
method and a data display apparatus by which a user is capable of
easily recognizing changeovers of images being successively
displayed on the screen of the display.
[0012] A musical score display apparatus of this invention is
installed in a musical instrument such as a grand piano to display
multiple images of consecutive pages of a musical score of a
prescribed musical tune being successively changed over on the
screen. Each of the images of the pages of the musical score is
divided into a prescribed number of sections, each of which
corresponds to at least a prescribed length of a staff for
arranging notes in musical notation and which are vertically
arranged at different positions on the screen. In addition,
different background colors are assigned to odd-numbered pages and
even-numbered pages of the musical score respectively.
[0013] In a full change mode, each of the multiple images of the
pages of the musical score is entirely changed over page by page on
the screen, wherein the background color is correspondingly changed
over across an overall area of the screen.
[0014] In an auto change mode, each of the multiple images of the
pages of the musical score is automatically changed over section by
section on the screen, so that the background color is
correspondingly changed over section by section on the screen. If
prescribed positions on the screen are fixedly allocated to the
sections respectively, the images of the musical score are
sequentially changed over section by section without changing the
positions of the sections on the screen. Alternatively, it is
possible to vertically scroll the images of the musical score
section by section on the screen.
[0015] Each section is changed over in content and background color
when a prescribed period of time elapses, which is preset in
advance in accordance with musical performance or progression of
the section. It is possible to designate the prescribed time
manually.
[0016] As described above, the user is able to visually recognize
changeovers of the multiple images of the musical score on the
screen with ease by detecting changeovers of the background colors
being respectively assigned to consecutive pages of the musical
score. Incidentally, it is possible to change over other styles
such as background patterns other than the background colors on the
screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other objects, aspects and embodiments of the
present invention will be described in more detail with reference
to the following drawing figures, of which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a
grand piano that installs a musical score display apparatus in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical
configuration of the musical score display apparatus that contains
an operator console and a display panel;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an example of an image of a musical score
containing six staves being displayed on the screen of the display
panel;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows configurations of musical score display data
that provide multiple sets of musical score data corresponding to
different musical tunes respectively;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine being executed
by a CPU of the musical score display apparatus;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation process being
executed by the CPU of the musical score display apparatus;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an initial image display
process being executed by the CPU of the musical score display
apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display image change process
being executed by the CPU of the musical score display
apparatus;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows an example of an image of a musical score
containing six staves, the uppermost one of which is changed over
by the display image change process on the screen;
[0027] FIG. 10A diagrammatically shows six sections being displayed
with white background color on the screen in response to the
musical score of the odd-numbered page;
[0028] FIG. 10B diagrammatically shows that the uppermost section
is changed in content and is displayed with yellow background color
on the screen in response to the musical score of the even-numbered
page;
[0029] FIG. 10C diagrammatically shows that a second section is
additionally changed in content and is displayed with yellow
background color on the screen;
[0030] FIG. 10D diagrammatically shows that a third section is
further changed in content and is displayed with yellow background
color on the screen;
[0031] FIG. 10E diagrammatically shows that a fourth section is
further changed in content and is displayed with yellow background
color on the screen;
[0032] FIG. 10F diagrammatically shows that a fifth section is
further changed in content and is displayed with yellow background
color on the screen;
[0033] FIG. 11A diagrammatically shows that six sections of page A
are originally displayed with white background color on the screen,
which is used to explain the scroll display method applied to the
musical score display apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 11B diagrammatically shows that five sections of page A
are scrolled upwardly while one section of page B is newly
displayed with yellow background color in the lowermost section on
the screen;
[0035] FIG. 11C diagrammatically shows that four sections of page A
are scrolled upwardly while two sections of page B are displayed
with yellow background color in the lower area on the screen;
[0036] FIG. 11D diagrammatically shows that six sections of page A
are originally displayed with white background color on the screen,
which is used to explain another type of the scroll display method
applied to the musical score display apparatus;
[0037] FIG. 11E diagrammatically shows that five sections of page A
remain at the same positions on the screen while one section of
page B is newly displayed with yellow background color in the
uppermost section on the screen; and
[0038] FIG. 11F diagrammatically shows that four sections of page A
remain at the same positions on the screen while two sections of
page B are displayed with yellow background color in the upper area
on the screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] This invention will be described in further detail by way of
examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0040] [A] Configuration of Embodiment
[0041] FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a grand piano installing a
musical score display apparatus in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the invention. Namely, the grand piano `100` has a
display panel 130 that is arranged next to a music stand for
supporting musical scores. The display panel 130 is designed to
display data of musical scores and the like. An operator console
120 is arranged at a prescribed right position on a front side of a
key bed of a keyboard. Hence, the user operates the operator
console 120 to turn on or off and control the display panel 130. In
other words, the operator console 120 allows the user to
arbitrarily select the musical score being displayed on the screen
of the display panel 130.
[0042] Except for provision of the musical score display apparatus
containing the display panel 130 and operator console 120, the
grand piano 100 is configured in a manner similar to that of
typical grand pianos. Of course, the grand piano 100 has an action
mechanism and other mechanical parts similar to those of
conventional grand pianos. For convenience' sake, the present
specification does not describe details of the mechanics of the
grand piano 100.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the musical
score display apparatus installed in the grand piano 100. In
addition to the display panel 130 and operator console 120, the
musical score display apparatus contains a central processing unit
(CPU) 20, a read-only memory (ROM) 21, a random-access memory (RAM)
22, a disk drive 23 and a display drive circuit 24.
[0044] The operator console 120 provides switches and controls that
can be operated by the user. Turning the switches (and controls),
it is possible to turn on or off the display panel 130 for
displaying the musical score, and it is possible to input commands
and instructions with regard to the musical score(s) being
displayed on the screen of the display panel 130. That is, the user
is able to select a musical tune whose musical score is to be
displayed on the screen, and the user is also able to change pages
of the musical scores of the selected musical tune on the screen.
Specifically, the present embodiment provides three types of
switches on the operator console 120. Namely, a tune select switch
is used to input a musical tune number designating a specific
musical tune whose musical score is to be displayed on the screen,
an auto change switch is used to designate an auto change mode for
automatically changing over images of the musical score of the
selected musical tune being displayed on the screen, and a full
change switch is used to designate a full change mode for entirely
changing the image of the musical score across the screen from the
present page to the next page. Input information is created by the
operator console 120 whose switches are manually operated by the
user and is forwarded to the CPU 20. Thus, the CPU 20 performs
various types of controls on the display panel 130 in response to
the input information.
[0045] Reading programs that are pre-installed in the ROM 21, the
CPU 20 performs musical score display processes, by which the
musical score display apparatus is to be controlled. In execution
of the processes, the CPU 20 uses the RAM 22 as a working area. The
disk drive 23 is used to read data stored in prescribed types of
recording media such as the hard disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk and
DVD-ROM. Reading musical score display data from the recording
media installed in the disk drive 23, the musical score display
apparatus executes the musical score display processes so that
musical scores are to be displayed on the screen of the display
panel 130. Details of the musical score display data and musical
score display processes will be described later.
[0046] The display drive circuit 24 has an image memory for use in
display of images on the screen of the display panel 130. In
accordance with the musical score display processes executed by the
CPU 20, image data representing images of musical scores are
written to the image memory. Hence, the display panel 130 displays
on the screen, the images corresponding to the image data written
to the image memory of the display drive circuit 24.
[0047] Next, a description will be given with respect to
configurations of the musical score display data. The musical score
display apparatus of the present embodiment is designed to display
musical scores, in which notes and other symbols in musical
notation are arranged on staves, on the screen of the display panel
130. That is, the display panel 130 has a display area for
displaying an image of the musical score that consists of six
staves being arranged vertically on the screen, an example of which
is shown in FIG. 3. That is, the display panel 130 displays on the
display area of the screen, an image of the musical score
containing six staves in accordance with the musical score display
data, which will be described below.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the musical score display data provides
multiple sets of musical score data for musical tunes respectively.
That is, each musical score data contain data designating a musical
tune number, which ranges between `1` and `n` (where `n` is an
integer arbitrarily selected). When the user selects a musical tune
by designating its musical tune number, the musical score display
apparatus loads musical score data having data of the designated
musical tune number by means of the disk drive 23. The musical
score data are used for execution of the musical score display
processes.
[0049] Each musical tune provides a prescribed amount of musical
score data that are configured by the number of pages, each of
which matches with the size of the screen of the display panel 130.
That is, the display panel 130 displays the musical score data of
one page on the screen at once. In addition, the musical score data
contain time count data representing the time duration that is
necessary for musical performance of one section of the musical
score. The time count data are used for the auto change mode for
automatically changing images of the musical score on the screen.
It is possible to substitute absolute time data for the time count
data, wherein the absolute time data represents an absolute time
that is counted during musical performance of the musical score
based on the beat symbol and velocity symbol, which are denoted on
the musical score, as well as the number of measures included in
one section of the musical score (e.g., two measures in FIG. 3). In
the case of the apparatus that can arbitrarily set a tempo, it is
possible to use data that is produced based on the beat symbol and
the number of measures included in one section of the musical
score, an overall length of which can be represented by a sum of
lengths of notes. Herein, it is possible to represent an overall
length of one section of the musical score by the number of quarter
notes, for example. In the case of FIG. 3, it is possible to
represent an overall length of two measures, corresponding to one
section of the musical score, by eight quarter notes.
[0050] The musical score data of one page contain data of six
staves each consisting of two measures, namely data of six
sections. Data of each section contain staff data for displaying a
staff of two measures, note data representing notes (namely, a, b,
c, . . . ) being arranged on the staff, and data `dEND` indicating
an end of arrangement of the notes on the staff. The staff data
contain staff image data for displaying an image of a staff and
staff coordinates data for designating coordinates (i.e., display
positions) of the staff on the screen. Similarly, the note data
contain note image data for displaying an image of a note and note
coordinates data for designating coordinates (i.e., display
position) of the note on the screen. According to the musical score
display processes, images of staves (each containing five lines and
other symbols in musical notation) are displayed at positions
designated by the staff coordinates data, while images of notes are
sequentially arranged on the staves and are displayed at positions
designated by the note coordinates data. Thus, it is possible to
complete each section of the musical score being displayed on the
screen.
[0051] [B] Operations of Embodiment
[0052] Next, descriptions will be given with respect to operations
of the musical score display apparatus of the present embodiment,
wherein the CPU 20 executes the musical score display processes in
accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 21. Next, the
musical score display processes being executed by the CPU 20 will
be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 8.
[0053] When electric power is applied to the musical score display
apparatus, a main routine of FIG. 5 is activated so that the flow
proceeds to step S1 in which an initialization process is
performed. In the initialization process, various kinds of data and
variables are initialized. In step S2, operation processes are
performed in response to conditions of the switches of the operator
console 120. Upon execution of the operation processes, an initial
image display process is performed in step S3 so that an initial
image of the musical score, namely a first page of the musical
score, is displayed on the screen of the display panel 130. Then,
the flow proceeds to step S4 in which a display image change
process is performed to change over images of the musical score
being displayed on the screen of the display panel 130. The
aforementioned processes of the steps S2 to S4 are repeatedly
performed as long as the electric power is continuously applied to
the musical score display apparatus.
[0054] The above is an outline of the processes being executed by
the CPU 20. Next, details of the operation process, initial image
display process and display image change process will be described
with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 respectively.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows the detailed content of the operation process
in which the flow firstly proceeds to step Sa1 in response to a
manual operation applied to the switch of the operator console 120.
That is, a decision is made as to whether the user operates the
operator console 120 to select a musical tune or not. If the user
does not select the musical tune, the flow directly proceeds to
step Sa7 in which a decision is made as to whether the apparatus is
instructed to set a full change mode for entirely changing the
image across the screen or not. If the user selects a certain
musical tune so that a decision result of step Sa1 is "YES", the
flow proceeds to step Sa2 in which the apparatus clears an image
presently displayed on the screen of the display panel 130.
[0056] In step Sa3, a variable K is set to a value corresponding to
a musical tune number that represents the musical tune selected by
the user. In step Sa4, a variable S is set to `1`. The variable S
is used to make determination whether to perform the initial image
display process or not. Details of the initial image display
process will be described later. If the variable S is set to `1`,
the apparatus performs the initial image display process.
[0057] In step Sa5, a decision is made as to whether the user
operates the operator console 120 to designate an auto change mode
or not. If the user designates the auto change mode, the flow
proceeds to step Sa6 in which a variable M is set to `1`, then, the
apparatus ends the operation process. If the user does not
designate the auto change mode, the flow proceeds to step Sa7 in
which a decision is made as to whether the user designates a full
change mode or not. If the user designates the full change mode,
the flow proceeds to step Sa8 in which the variable M is set to
`2`, then, the apparatus ends the operation process.
[0058] Next, the initial image display process will be described
with reference to FIG. 7. In step Sb1 of the initial image display
process, a decision is made as to whether the variable S is set to
`1` or not. If the variable S is not set to `1`, the apparatus
immediately ends the initial image display process. If S=1, the
flow proceeds to step Sb2 in which a variable P representing a page
number of the musical score is set to `1`, and a variable N
representing a section number of the page of the musical score is
set to `1`.
[0059] As described above, the variable K designates the musical
tune that is selected by the user, the variable P designates the
page number of the musical score, and the variable N designates the
section number of the page of the musical score. The flow proceeds
to step Sb3 in which the CPU 20 reads musical score data in
response to the aforementioned variables K, P and N. Then, the CPU
20 writes data indicative of the staff and its notes to a memory
(not shown) of the display drive circuit 24 in conformity with
positions designated by coordinates data included in the read
musical score data. Thus, the staff and its notes are adequately
displayed on the screen of the display panel 130. In an initial
condition, the CPU 20 performs a display process with respect to
section 1 of page 1 of the musical score. The CPU 20 initiates the
initial image display process to display staves and notes written
on page 1 of the musical score. That is, the CPU 20 performs a
display process A in which an entire background of the screen is
initially painted in white color in displaying the staves and notes
of page 1 of the musical score in accordance with the initial image
display process. The background color is alternately changed
between white color and yellow color in response to changeovers of
pages of the musical score being successively displayed on the
screen. That is, the display process A using the `white` background
color is effected on each of odd-numbered pages of the musical
score being displayed on the screen. In contrast, a display process
B using the `yellow` background color is effected on each of
even-numbered pages of the musical score being displayed on the
screen.
[0060] After completing the display process with respect to the
section `N` (e.g., section 1) of page 1 of the musical score, the
flow proceeds to step Sb4 in which the variable N is incremented by
`1`. Then, the flow proceeds to step Sb5 in which a decision is
made as to whether the incremented variable N exceeds `6` or not.
This is because each page of the musical score includes six
sections (namely, section 1 to section 6) as shown in FIG. 3. If
the variable N is `6` or less, the flow returns to step Sb3, so
that the display process is performed with respect to the next
section of page 1 of the musical score corresponding to the
incremented variable N.
[0061] If the variable N is above `6` indicating that the display
process is completed with respect to all of six sections of page 1
of the musical score, the flow proceeds to step Sb6 without
performing a new display process. In step Sb6, the variable S is
set to `0`, the variable N is set to `1`, and the variable P is
incremented by `1`. In step Sb7, a decision is made as to whether
the variable M is set to `1` or not. In other words, a decision is
made as to whether the apparatus is set to the auto change mode or
not. If M=1 indicating the auto change mode, the flow proceeds to
step Sb8 in which a timer (not shown) is set to a value that is
designated by the time count data contained in the musical score
data (see FIG. 4). That is, the timer is set to the time that is
necessary for musical performance of one section of the musical
score corresponding to the musical score data. If the variable M is
not set to `1`, in other words, if the apparatus is not set to the
auto change mode, the apparatus ends the initial image display
process.
[0062] Next, the display image change process will be described
with reference to FIG. 8. In step Sc1 of the display image change
process, a decision is made as to whether the variable M is set to
`1` or not, in other words, a decision is made as to whether the
apparatus is set in the auto change mode or not. If M=1 indicating
the auto change mode, the flow proceeds to step Sc2 in which a
decision is made as to whether the value of the timer is decreased
to `0` or not. The timer is set to a certain value by the foregoing
step Sb8 of the initial image display process or by the display
image change process. If the timer is not zero, it is presumed that
the time necessary for musical performance of one section of the
musical score does not elapse completely. Hence, the apparatus ends
the display image change process.
[0063] If the timer is zero indicating that the time necessary for
musical performance of one section of the musical score elapses
completely, it is necessary to change an image of section N of the
musical score being presently displayed on the screen. In order to
do so, the image of section N of the musical score is entirely
cleared on the screen in step Sc3. In step Sc4, a decision is made
as to whether the variable P is presently set to an even number or
not. In other words, a decision is made as to whether or not
musical score data of an even-numbered page is used to display a
new image for the section N whose original image is cleared on the
screen. If the variable P designates an even number, that is, if
the musical score data of the even-numbered page is used to display
the new image for the section N of the musical score on the screen,
the CPU 20 reads the musical score data whose page is designated by
the variable P and whose section is designated by the variable N.
Based on the read musical score data, the new image is displayed in
the section N of the musical score on the screen. If the musical
score data of the even-numbered page is used to display the new
image for the section N on the screen, the CPU 20 performs a
display process B using yellow background color in step Sc5.
Suppose that the display panel 130 changes section 1 of page 1 of
the musical score with section 1 of page 2 of the musical score,
for example. In that case, an image (i.e., a staff, notes and other
musical symbols) of section 1 of page 2 of the musical score is
displayed with the yellow background color on an uppermost section
of the screen of the display panel 130, while images of sections
2-6 of page 1 of the musical score remain on the screen with the
white background color. This allows the user to visually recognize
a partial transition of the musical score that is effected from
page 1 to page 2 with respect to section 1 on the uppermost section
of the screen. In addition, the user is able to easily distinguish
between the sections of the present page, which remain on the
screen, and the section of the next page which is newly displayed
on the screen.
[0064] If the variable P is set to an odd number in step Sc4, the
flow proceeds to step Sc6 in which the CPU 20 reads musical score
data whose page is designated by the variable P and whose section
is designated by the variable N, so that the read musical score
data is used to display a new image for section N of the musical
score on the screen. If the musical score data of the odd-numbered
page is used to display the new image for the section N of the
musical score on the screen, the CPU 20 performs a display process
A using the white background color with respect to the section N.
In this case, the display panel 130 originally displays an image of
an even-numbered page of the musical score, which is partially
changed with an image of the odd-numbered page of the musical
score. Thus, the musical score displayed on the screen is partially
changed in background color with respect to the section N.
[0065] As described above, the CPU 20 alternatively performs the
display process B of step Sc5 and the display process A of step Sc6
with respect to the section N of the musical score on the screen.
After completion of the step Sc5 or Sc6, the flow proceeds to step
Sc7 in which the variable N is incremented by `1`. In step Sc8, a
decision is made as to whether the incremented variable N exceeds
`6` or not. If N is above `6`, it is presumed that the CPU 20
completes the display image change process with respect to all of
the six sections on the screen. Therefore, the flow proceeds to
step Sc9 in which the variable P is incremented by `1`, and the
variable N is set to `1`. That is, the CPU 20 proceeds to the next
page for processing. In step Sc10, a decision is made as to whether
the variable P representing the next page is greater than the last
page or not. If the next page is greater than the last page, it is
presumed that the display image change process is completed on all
pages of the musical score in the auto change mode. Hence, the flow
proceeds to step Sc11 in which the variable M is set to `0`. Then,
the apparatus ends the display image change process. If the CPU 20
determines in step Sc10 that the next page (i.e., variable P)
corresponds to the last page or less, the flow proceeds to step
Sc12, which is similar to the foregoing step Sb8 of the initial
image display process shown in FIG. 7. That is, the timer is set to
the value that is designated by the time count data contained in
the musical score data (see FIG. 4). If the CPU 20 determines in
step Sc8 that the variable N is `6` or less, the flow directly
proceeds to step Sc12 in which the timer is set to the value of the
time count data.
[0066] The aforementioned steps show the display image change
process in the auto change mode that is executed upon the decision
of M=1 in the step Sc1. If the CPU 20 determines in step Sc1 that
the variable M is not set to `1`, the flow proceeds to step Sc13 in
which a decision is made as to whether the variable M is set to `2`
or not. If the variable M is not set to `2`, in other words, if the
apparatus is not set in the auto change mode and full change mode,
there is no need to change over images displayed on the screen.
Hence, the apparatus immediately ends the display image change
process.
[0067] If M=2 indicating the full change mode, it is necessary to
entirely change the image of the musical score data across the
screen In order to do so, the CPU 20 clears an entire image of the
musical score being presently displayed on the screen in step Sc14.
In step Sc15, a decision is made as to whether the variable P is an
even number or not. In other words, a decision is made as to
whether or not musical score data of an even-numbered page is used
to display a new image of the musical score on the screen. If the
variable P is the even number, the flow proceeds to step Sc16 in
which the CPU 20 reads the musical score data of the page `P` with
respect to its all sections. Thus, an entire image of the screen is
instantaneously changed over with a new one based on the read
musical score data. If the musical score data of the even-numbered
page is used to display the new image of the musical score entirely
on the screen, the CPU 20 performs a display process B using yellow
background color in step Sc16. In this case, the background color
that is originally white color in displaying the previous page
(i.e., odd-numbered page) of the musical score is entirely changed
across the screen, so that six staves and notes represented by the
musical score data of the even-numbered page are displayed with the
yellow background color on the screen. Because the while background
color for use in displaying the previous odd-numbered page of the
musical score data is instantaneously and entirely changed across
the screen with the yellow background color for use in displaying
the present even-numbered page of the musical score, the user is
able to visually recognize an entire transition of the musical
score that is effected from the odd-numbered page to the
even-numbered page.
[0068] If the CPU 20 determines in step Sc15 that the variable P is
an odd number, the flow proceeds to step Sc17 in which the CPU 20
reads musical score data of the page `P` with respect to its all
sections. Based on the read musical score data, the display panel
130 displays a new image of the musical score on the screen. That
is, the CPU 20 instantaneously changes over the previous image of
the musical score with the new image of the musical score
designated by the variable P on the screen. If the musical score
data of the odd-numbered page is used to display the new image
entirely on the screen, the CPU 20 performs a display process A
using white background color. Since the display panel 130
previously displays the image of the even-numbered page of the
musical score, the corresponding staves and notes are displayed
with the yellow background color on the screen. The background
color is now instantaneously changed to white color for use in
displaying the image of the odd-numbered page of the musical score
data on the screen. Therefore, the user is able to visually
recognize an entire transition of the musical score that is
effected from the even-numbered page to the odd-numbered page.
[0069] By completion of the step Sc16 or Sc17, the CPU 20 completes
the display process B or A in the full change mode. Then, the flow
proceeds to step Sc18 in which the variable P is incremented by
`1`, and the variable N is set to `1`. Thus, the CPU 20 proceeds to
the next page for processing. Because the display image change
process is completed in the full change mode, the variable M is set
to `0` in step Sc19. Then, the apparatus ends the display image
change process.
[0070] By repeating the operation process, initial image display
process and display image change process, it is possible to realize
automatic changes of images of the musical score being successively
displayed on the screen in the auto change mode. FIGS. 10A to 10F
show examples of the images of the musical score being successively
displayed on the screen. For convenience' sake, FIGS. 10A-10F each
show simplified diagrams each consisting of six sections
(corresponding to the six staves or sections of the musical score
displayed on the screen) accompanied with prescribed background
colors, which are sequentially changed from white to yellow. That
is, FIGS. 10A-10F show a series of transitions that are
sequentially effected on the six sections (or six staves and notes)
in a direction from the uppermost section to the lowermost section,
so that an entire image of the musical score of the odd-numbered
page which is originally displayed with white background color on
the screen as shown in FIG. 10A is successively changed section by
section to an entire image of the musical score of the
even-numbered page which is to be displayed with yellow background
color on the screen as shown in FIG. 10F. In FIGS. 10A-10F, six
sections are divided by five boundaries corresponding to four
dotted lines and one full line, all of which are imaginary lines
and are not actually displayed on the screen. In addition, the full
line is used to represent a boundary between the section(s) of the
musical score of the odd-numbered page and the section(s) of the
musical score of the even-numbered page.
[0071] FIG. 10A shows that all of six sections (namely, section 1
to section 6) of the musical score are displayed with white
background color on the screen in response to the odd-numbered
page. When the prescribed time designated by the time count data
elapses, section 1 (which is the uppermost section on the screen)
of the musical score of the odd-numbered page is automatically
changed to section 1 of the musical score of the even-numbered
page. That is, section 1 is changed in content and is also changed
in background color from white to yellow on the screen as shown in
FIG. 10B, wherein other sections 2-6 remain with white background
color, so that a full-line boundary between the even-numbered page
and odd-numbered page of the musical score is imaginarily drawn
between section 1 and section 2. Watching such a change of the
background color, the user is able to visually recognize a
changeover of the content of the section 1 of the musical score on
the screen. In this case, the user is capable of visually
distinguishing between the section of the musical score of the
even-numbered page (or next page) and the sections of the musical
score of the odd-numbered page (or present page).
[0072] After the display panel 130 completes the aforementioned
change of the section 1 from the present page to the next page on
the screen, when the prescribed time elapses again, section 2 of
the musical score is automatically changed in content from the
present page to the next page, so that the background color is
correspondingly changed from white to yellow with respect to the
section 2 of the musical score on the screen as shown in FIG. 10C,
wherein a full-line boundary between the even-numbered page and
odd-numbered page of the musical score is imaginarily drawn between
section 2 and section 3. Every time the prescribed time elapses,
the image of the musical score is sequentially changed over section
by section on the screen, which is shown by FIGS. 10D to 10F During
sequential transitions of sections on the screen, a difference of
background color emerges between the certain section, which is
lately changed in content to display the musical score of the next
page, and its lower section which remains in content to
continuously display the musical score of the present page.
Detecting such a difference of the background color on the screen,
the user is able to easily make a recognition as to how far the
transition of the musical score is effected from the present page
to the next page. Finally, all of the six sections are completely
changed from the present page to the next page and are displayed
with yellow background color on the screen.
[0073] When the user operates the operator console 120 to designate
a full change mode, the image of the musical score is
instantaneously changed on the screen from the present page to the
next page with respect to all of the six sections. In such a full
change mode, the background color is simultaneously changed from
one color to another in response to the change of the image of the
musical score on the screen. Thus, the user is able to visually
recognize a full transition of the image of the musical score from
the present page to the next page on the screen with ease.
[0074] As described above, the musical score display apparatus of
the present embodiment is characterized in that the background
color is automatically changed from one color to another between
the consecutive even-numbered page and odd-numbered page in
response to changes of images of the musical score on the screen.
Hence, the user is able to visually recognize transitions of the
images of the musical score from one page to another on the screen
with ease. Particularly, the present embodiment is effective in the
auto change mode in which the images of the musical score are not
shifted from one image to another by manual timings, which the user
manually designates by operating the operator console 120, but are
automatically changed at automatic timings automatically designated
by the prescribed time set to the time count data. Because, the
user is not always capable of discriminating whether or not the
images of the musical score are shifted from one page to another by
the manual timings. Therefore, the present embodiment can
demonstrate special effects in automatically changing the
background color, which is one style of display, in response to
transitions of the images of the musical score.
[0075] In the auto change mode of the present embodiment, staves
and notes of the musical score do not move vertically (or
horizontally) on the screen, wherein the image of the musical score
is automatically changed section by section on the screen. This
reduces the probability that the user will overlook the desired
part of the musical score on the screen. If the display image
change process is designed to merely change the image of the
musical score section by section on the screen, each section is
instantaneously changed from one image to another, so the user may
have a difficulty in recognizing a transition of the image of the
musical score as compared with the aforementioned scroll display
method and the like in which the image of the musical score moves
vertically on the screen. That is, in the scroll display method,
the user is able to recognize transitions of the musical score by
detecting gradual movements of images on the screen. In the auto
change mode in which the image of the musical score is
instantaneously changed over section by section on the screen, the
user may have a difficulty in recognizing transitions of the
musical score if the user overlooks the `instantaneous` timing at
which the certain section of the musical score is instantaneously
changed in content. The present embodiment is designed to solve the
aforementioned problem by automatically changing the background
color between the consecutive even-numbered page and odd-numbered
page on the screen in response to transitions of images of the
musical score. Detecting the difference of the background color on
the screen, the user who overlooks the instantaneous timing at
which the certain section of the musical score is instantaneously
changed in content is able to easily recognize transitions of
images of the musical score between the consecutive pages with
ease.
[0076] In addition, the present embodiment is designed such that in
the auto change mode of the display image change process, images
are successively changed over on the screen section by section upon
a lapse of the prescribed time, which is set in advance in
consideration of the time necessary for musical performance of each
section. That is, if the user (or player) plays music in accordance
with notes and other musical notations on the musical score, the
sections are successively changed with new ones at the timings when
the user finishes playing the notes on the staves of the sections
respectively, wherein the section of which the user has just
finished playing the notes is changed in background color. Then,
the user moves his/her eyes downwardly to the next section that is
displayed vertically lower than the previously played section and
that is displayed just below a boundary, which is formed between
different background colors, on the screen. Concretely speaking, in
the case of FIG. 10A, the uppermost section shows notes of the
musical score that the user should play presently. After the user
finishes playing the notes of the staff of the uppermost section,
the uppermost section is changed in background color from white to
yellow as shown in FIG. 10B. Then, the user moves his/her eyes
downwardly to the second section that shows notes to be played and
that is just below a boundary, formed between yellow background
color and white background color, on the screen. By detecting such
a boundary formed between the different background colors, the user
is able to visually recognize which section is to be played
presently on the screen with ease. The aforementioned auto change
mode of the display image change process may be convenient for
`experienced` players who are able to play the music at the preset
performance velocity (or tempo) that is designated by the musical
score. However, `inexperienced` players such as beginners may have
difficulties in keeping up with the present performance velocity,
which is preset in the auto change mode, because they are used to
play the music at a slower tempo. Hence, images of the musical
score are automatically changed over section by section on the
screen before inexperienced players actually finish playing notes
of the section being presently designated in the musical score.
Such difficulties can be easily solved by changing the time count
data (see FIG. 4) to be larger as compared with the foregoing one.
Increasing the time count data, it is possible to slow down the
velocity for changing over images of the musical score section by
section on the screen. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities
in which the display panel 130 automatically changes over the
images on the screen before the player actually finishes playing
the notes of the designated section. As described above, the
present embodiment can be easily modified such that the user is
capable of arbitrarily setting the timing and velocity for
automatically changing over images of the musical score section by
section on the screen in response to the user's level of musical
performance. It is possible to designate the user's level of
musical performance manually or automatically. To automatically
designate the user's level of musical performance, the present
embodiment is partially modified such that key sensors are provided
for keys of the grand piano 100 respectively. The key sensors are
used to detect the user's touch or depression on the keys
respectively By comparing outputs of the key sensors and
performance data (e.g., notes) of the musical score, detection is
made as to positions of the musical score at which the user now
proceeds to in musical performance. Hence, the apparatus
automatically detects progression of the user's musical performance
to adequately change over images of the musical score section by
section on the screen in response to the detection results. Thus,
the apparatus realizes optimal changeovers of images of the musical
score on the screen in conformity with the user's progression of
musical performance.
[0077] [C] Modified Examples
[0078] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the
aforementioned embodiment, hence, it is possible to propose a
variety of modified examples for partially modifying the embodiment
within the scope of the invention.
[0079] (1) First Modified Example
[0080] The present embodiment is designed such that the background
color is automatically changed over between the even-numbered page
and odd-numbered page of the musical score being displayed on the
screen. Herein, the background color is merely one example of
attributes or styles for enhancement of images displayed on the
screen. Hence, it is possible to change other attributes such as
background patterns, other than the background colors, in response
to changeovers of pages of the musical score displayed on the
screen. In addition, it is possible to change colors of lines of
the staff (or staves) in response to changeovers of pages of the
musical score on the screen. Further, it is possible to change the
color of the notes in response to changeovers of pages of the
musical score on the screen. In summary, the present invention
allows the user to easily recognize changeovers of the pages of the
musical score by adequately changing styles in display between the
even-numbered page and odd-numbered page of the musical score on
the screen.
[0081] (2) Second Modified Example
[0082] As described above, the present embodiment is designed to
change the background color between the even-numbered page and
odd-numbered page of the musical score on the screen. Herein, the
background color is changed with respect to each of the sections
included in one page of the musical score being displayed on the
screen. It is possible to modify the present embodiment such that
the background color is changed with respect to each of the pages
of the musical score being successively displayed on the screen.
For example, a first page is displayed with white background color,
a second page is displayed with yellow background color, a third
page is displayed with red background color, and a fourth page is
displayed with light-blue background color. In addition, it is
possible to further change other styles in display such as the
background patterns, colors of lines of staves, and colors of notes
with respect to each of the pages of the musical score being
displayed on the screen.
[0083] (3) Modified Example 3
[0084] The present embodiment is basically designed to employ the
method in which the sections (or staves) of the musical score do
not move vertically on the screen in the auto change mode. Instead,
it is possible to employ the foregoing scroll display method that
is generally used. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, images
are sequentially scrolled upwardly on the screen. As shown in FIG.
11A, the display panel 130 originally displays sections 1-6 of page
A with white background color on the screen, wherein images are
sequentially scrolled upwardly section by section on the screen.
Hence, in a next cycle (see FIG. 11B), section 1 of page A
disappears from the screen, while sections 2-6 of page A are
vertically scrolled upward by one section, wherein section 1 of
page B (i.e., next page) is newly displayed with yellow background
color in the lowermost section on the screen. In a further next
cycle (see FIG. 11C), section 2 of page A disappears from the
screen, while sections 3-6 of page A are vertically scrolled
upwardly by one section, wherein sections 1 and 2 of page B are
displayed with yellow background color in the lower area on the
screen. In the case of FIGS. 11A to 11C, all of the six sections
are scrolled upwardly on the screen, so that the user must pay
attention to movements of the sections on the screen. Instead, it
is possible to realize another scroll display method without
changing original positions of the sections on the screen, which
will be described with reference to FIGS. 11D to 11F. That is, the
display panel 130 originally displays sections 1-6 of page A with
white background color on the screen as shown in FIG. 11D. In a
next cycle (see FIG. 11E), section 6 of page B (i.e., the next
page) is substituted for section 1 of page A and is displayed with
yellow background color in the uppermost section on the screen,
while other sections 2-6 of page A remain at the same positions on
the screen. In a further next cycle (see FIG. 11F), sections 5 and
6 of page B are displayed with yellow background color in the upper
area on the screen, while sections 3-6 of page A remain at the same
positions on the screen. That is, FIGS. 11D to 11F show the scroll
display method in which the sections of the next page scroll
downwardly on the screen while the sections of the present page
remain at the original positions on the screen. In the above, it is
possible to further change styles of display between adjacent pages
of the musical score. Thus, the user is able to easily recognize
changeovers of the pages of the musical score on the screen. In
short, the scroll display method is not necessarily limited in
scroll direction, wherein images can be scrolled upwardly or
downwardly. In addition, scrolling the images is not necessarily
made vertically, so it can be made horizontally on the screen. That
is, the present invention is applicable to other types of display
image change methods in which the images are sequentially moved
horizontally on the screen.
[0085] (4) Fourth Modified Example
[0086] The present embodiment is designed such that in the auto
change mode, the image of the musical score displayed on the screen
is automatically and partially changed over upon a lapse of the
prescribed time which is counted by the timer, while in the full
change mode, the entire image of the musical score displayed on the
screen is manually changed over to a new one at a timing that is
designated by the user operating the operator console 120 and the
like. It is possible to modify the present embodiment such that in
the full change mode, the entire image can be automatically changed
over in response to the timer count. In addition, it is possible to
partially change over the image on the screen at the timing that is
designated by the user operating a part change switch and the like.
Further, it is possible to additionally provide the apparatus with
a auto change start switch. When the user operates the auto change
start switch under the condition of M=1, the apparatus starts the
timer counting, which is set by the foregoing step Sb8 shown in
FIG. 7.
[0087] (5) Fifth Modified Example
[0088] The present embodiment teaches the musical score display
apparatus that is installed in the grand piano 100. The musical
score display apparatus is not necessarily limited in place of
installation, that is, it is possible to install the apparatus on
other musical instruments. Alternatively, it is possible to use the
musical score display apparatus independently of the musical
instruments. In other words, the musical score display processes of
the present embodiment are applicable to other types of displays,
which are installed in the portable terminal devices such as the
personal computers, game devices and cellular phones, for example.
Hence, those devices can be designed to execute the musical score
display processes in accordance with the present invention.
[0089] (6) Sixth Modified Example
[0090] The present embodiment is designed such that the display
panel 130 simultaneously displays six staves in six sections on the
screen. The number of the sections being simultaneously displayed
on the screen can be arbitrarily designated. In addition, it is
possible to display other types of scores, namely roll scores, tab
scores and drum scores other than the normal staves in the musical
score. Further, images being displayed on the screen are not
necessarily limited to the staves, notes and other musical symbols
in musical notation. Hence, it is possible to use any types of
images whose contents are closely connected with each other among
multiple pages to be successively displayed on the screen. In other
words, the present invention is applicable to any types of display
apparatuses that sequentially change over images of consecutive
pages on the screen.
[0091] (7) Seventh Modified Example
[0092] The present embodiment is designed to display images of the
musical score based on musical score data that are read from the
storage media by the disk drive 23. Instead, it is possible to use
other types of musical score data that are distributed from the
external devices (e.g., servers) via the data communication
networks such as the Internet.
[0093] Lastly, as this invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics
thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not
restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the
appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and
all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or
equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be
embraced by the claims.
* * * * *