Abstract:
A musical instrument is computerized for electronically generating tones, and an information processing subsystem assists users selectively to change the attributes of the tones, wherein the information processing subsystem includes a speaker recognition engine for identifying a player with one of registered users and a graphical user interface transferring a digital image signal representative of a picture customized by the registered user to a display unit so that the user can check the attribute during the performance.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an information processing technology available for musical instruments and, more particularly, to an information processing system associated with an object-oriented user interface for musicians and a musical instrument equipped with the information processing system. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     A graphical user interface is popular to computer users, and permits the users to manage a large amount of data information as well as various kinds of computer programs. The graphical user interface produces visual images called “icons” on a display screen. When the user starts a computer program or accesses a data file, he or she moves a pointer to an icon representative of the computer program or a data file by sliding a mouse, and clicks the mouse. Then, the computer program starts to run on the personal computer system, or the data file is open. Thus, the user easily manipulates the personal computer system through the graphic user interface. 
     There are various tools with which the computer user customizes a new picture. The user designs a new picture and visual images by means of the tools, and adds the new picture to the library. 
     A large number of visual images are usually required for the communication between the user and the personal computer system. The visual images are grouped into plural pictures, and appropriate category icons are respectively assigned to the pictures. The user firstly selects one of the pictures by clicking the category icon assigned thereto. Otherwise, a keyboard may be used for the selection. Then, the data processing unit produces the selected picture on the screen. Next, the user selects one of the visual images on the picture by manipulating the mouse so as to input a piece of data information or give an instruction to the data processing unit. Thus, the user stepwise accesses the objective visual image by manipulating the mouse or the keyboard. In case where the user has customized a new picture, the new picture is also accessible through the manipulation of the mouse or the keyboard. 
     However, someone such as a physically handicapped person feels it difficult to manipulate the mouse or the keyboard. A voice recognition technology is helpful for the physically handicapped person. The voice recognition technology is introduced into the personal computer system, and offers a man-machine interface to the physically handicapped person. 
     Another application of the voice recognition technology is an automatic answer network system. The automatic answer network system is a combination of a mainframe computer system and a telephone network. A lot of telephone subscribers concurrently access the database through the telephone network, and the mainframe computer answers the users requests. While a person is speaking through telephone, he or she needs to hold the receiver by hand. This means that he or she feels it difficult to manipulate the keyboard. The mainframe computer has the man-machine interface realized through the voice recognition and response technologies, and specifies the piece of the data information requested by each subscriber. Thus, the voice recognition technology is fairly popular to the computer user. 
     A speaker recognition is yet another application field of the voice recognition technology. When the speaker pronounces a word or words, the speaker recognition system extracts a characteristic pattern from his or her pronunciation, and identifies the speaker with one of the registered persons. The speaker recognition technology is applied to an electronic key for security, telephone banking, a remote access to a computer system. 
     Several kinds of musical instrument have been computerized. An electric keyboard is a typical example of the computerized musical instrument. A data processing system is incorporated in the electric keyboard together with key switches and a tone generator. The data processing system has a manipulating board, and a player gives instructions to the data processing system through the manipulating board before his or her performance. The data processor responds to the instructions for changing properties of the electronic tones such as, for example, a timbre and volume. While the player is fingering on the keyboard, the personal computer system processes pieces of music data information representative of the performance, and instructs the tone generator to produce the electronic tones. Another personal computer system serves as a tutor for a beginner, and assists the beginner in a practice of fingering. Thus, the personal computer system offers various kinds of service to musicians. 
     In these circumstances, the graphic user interface makes the musicians communicate with the personal computer system easily. FIG. 1 shows a picture produced on a screen of a display unit incorporated in the prior art personal computer system for musicians. Various visual images are arranged in the picture. A visual image C 1  is representative of ten keys, and another visual image C 2  has an image of an indicator. Yet another visual image C 3  is like a button switch. The visual images serve as if real ten keys and real button switches are provided on the screen. When the user clicks the visual images, numerals are input to the data processing unit, and instructions are given to the data processing unit. The needle of the indicator is indicative of the current value of a physical quantity such as, for example, the volume of tones to be generated. The personal computer system notifies the current status to the user through the indicators. 
     A prior art electronic musical instrument with a built-in computer system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,078. The computer system has a flat screen display embedded in a music stand. A touch control overlay is provided on the flat screen display. The user gives controllable parameters through the touch control overlay. In this instance, the touch control overlay serves as the man-machine interface. 
     The built-in computer systems already known are manipulated by the players or musicians before their performance. Most musicians are not physically handicapped, and do not find the manipulating panel and the touch control overlay inconvenient. For this reason, the user gives instructions and music parameters through the interface to be manipulated by his or her hand. 
     Although a computerized keyboard musical instrument is equipped with a microphone, it is limited to a man-machine interface for recording. An example of the computerized keyboard musical instrument equipped with a microphone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,997. The prior art computerized keyboard musical instrument has a multimedia audio subsystem, and the microphone forms a part of the multimedia audio subsystem. The user inputs his or her voice through the microphone into the multimedia audio subsystem. The inventors describe the reason why the user uses the microphone as “the microphone 84 can be connected to the system for recording, karaoke and other musical voice input applications” (see column 9, lines 52 to 54). The prior art computerized keyboard musical instrument is equipped with a graphical user interface, and the controllable parameters are adjusted through the graphic user interface. 
     The manipulating panel and the graphical user interface are popular in the field of computerized musical instruments, and the user satisfies the manipulating panel and the graphic user interface. However, while the musician is playing a tune with the computerized keyboard musical instrument, he or she has to continue the fingering. As described hereinbefore, the graphic user interface has a large number of visual images, and it is impossible to produce all the visual images on the screen concurrently. This means that the user accesses the target visual image by repeating the manipulation on the screen. However, it is difficult to repeat the manipulation on the graphic user interface during the performance. This means that the musician can not change the instruction and/or parameters after starting the performance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a data processing system, which has a graphic user interface manipulative by a user who has his or her hands full. 
     It is another important object of the present invention to provide a musical instrument, which is equipped with the data processing system. 
     To accomplish the object, the present invention proposes to combine a picture with a speaker through a voice recognition system. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising a memory having plural addressable locations where identification codes respectively assigned to plural users and plural pieces of visual data information representative of first pictures respectively owned by the plural users are stored, a voice-to-signal converter converting a pronunciation of a speaker to a first electric signal, a voice recognition engine connected to the voice-to-signal converter, responsive to the first electric signal so as to identify the speaker with one of the plural users and producing a second electric signal representative of the aforesaid one of the plural users, a visual display unit responsive to a third electric signal for selectively producing the first pictures, and a graphical user interface connected to the voice recognition engine, the memory and the visual display unit, responsive to the second electric signal so as to produce a fourth electric signal representative of the identification code assigned to the aforesaid one of the plural users and supplying the fourth electric signal to the memory for transferring the third electric signal representative of the first picture owned by the aforesaid one of the plural users to the visual display unit. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising a memory having at least one addressable location where an identification code assigned to a user and a piece of visual data information representative of a certain picture customized by the plural user are stored, a voice-to-signal converter converting a pronunciation of a speaker to a first electric signal, a voice recognition engine connected to the voice-to-signal converter and responsive to the first electric signal so as to produce a second electric signal representative of the user when the speaker is identified with the user, a visual display unit responsive to a third electric signal for selectively producing pictures, and a graphical user interface connected to the voice recognition engine, the memory and the visual display unit, responsive to the second electric signal so as to produce a fourth electric signal representative of the identification code assigned to the user and supplying the fourth electric signal to the memory for transferring the third electric signal representative of the certain picture to the visual display unit. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system used for a musical instrument for assisting a player in selecting at least one attribute of tones to be generated, and the information processing system comprises a memory having plural addressable locations where identification codes respectively assigned to plural users and plural pieces of visual data information representative of first pictures respectively owned by the plural users are stored, each of the first pictures including at least one visual image indicating the current state of the at least one attribute, a voice-to-signal converter converting a pronunciation of the player to a first electric signal, a voice recognition engine connected to the voice-to-signal converter, responsive to the first electric signal so as to identify the player with one of the plural users and producing a second electric signal representative of the aforesaid one of the plural users, a visual display unit responsive to a third electric signal for selectively producing the first pictures and a graphical user interface connected to the voice recognition engine, the memory and the visual display unit, responsive to the second electric signal so as to produce a fourth electric signal representative of the identification code assigned to the aforesaid one of the plural users and supplying the fourth electric signal to the memory for transferring the third electric signal representative of the first picture owned by the aforesaid one of the plural users to the visual display unit. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a musical instrument for producing tones, and the musical instrument comprises plural manipulators for specifying notes of a scale, a tone generating system responsive to fingering on the plural manipulators for generating tones with the notes specified through the fingering and an information processing system connected to the tone generating system and including a memory having plural addressable locations where identification codes respectively assigned to plural users and plural pieces of visual data information representative of first pictures respectively owned by the plural users are stored, each of the first pictures including at least one visual image indicating the current state of the at least one attribute of the tones, a voice-to-signal converter converting a pronunciation of the player to a first electric signal, a voice recognition engine connected to the voice-to-signal converter, responsive to the first electric signal so as to identify the player with one of the plural users and producing a second electric signal representative of the aforesaid one of the plural users, a visual display unit responsive to a third electric signal for selectively producing the first pictures and a graphical user interface connected to the voice recognition engine, the memory and the visual display unit, responsive to the second electric signal so as to produce a fourth electric signal representative of the identification code assigned to the aforesaid one of the plural users and supplying the fourth electric signal to the memory for transferring the third electric signal representative of the first picture owned by the aforesaid one of the plural users to the visual display unit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the data processing system and the musical instrument will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view showing the visual images produced on the screen of the display forming a part of the prior art data processing system; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automatic player piano according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view showing the arrangement of essential parts of the automatic player piano and the circuit configuration of an electronic system; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of components incorporated in an information processing subsystem; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing pictures produced on a screen of a display; 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a speaker recognition engine; 
     FIG. 7 is a view showing messages produced on the display unit when registration is completed; 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an information processing subsystem incorporated in another keyboard musical instrument according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a voice recognition engine incorporated in the information processing subsystem; 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a database of information processing subsystem incorporated in yet another musical instrument according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a view showing contents of a file for personal information; 
     FIG. 12 is a view showing an arrangement of visual images in a composite picture; 
     FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an information processing subsystem incorporated in still another musical instrument according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a view showing the contents of pictures stored in a database incorporated in the information processing subsystem; and 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B are views respectively showing a picture for beginners class and a picture for middle class. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, an automatic player piano embodying the present invention largely comprises an acoustic piano  100 , an electronic system  200  and a silent system  300 . In the following description, the word “front” is indicative of a relative position closer to a player fingering on the acoustic piano  100  than a “rear” position. The word “fore-and-aft” is indicative of a direction passing through the front position and the rear position, and “lateral” direction is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction. The acoustic piano  100  and the silent system  300  are similar to those incorporated in a prior art automatic player piano, and only a brief description is hereinbelow made on the acoustic piano  100  and the silent system  300 . 
     Acoustic Piano 
     A standard grand piano is used as the acoustic piano  100 , and a human pianist or the electronic system  200  plays a tune on the acoustic piano  100 . The acoustic piano  100  includes a keyboard  110 , action mechanisms  120 , hammer assemblies  130 , dampers  140 , sets of strings  150  and a pedal mechanism  160 . Black keys  111  and white keys  112  are incorporated in the keyboard  110 , and are rotatably arranged over a key bed  113 . The action mechanisms  120  are provided over the associated black/white keys  111 / 112 , and are supported by action brackets  121 . The black/white keys  111 / 112  are connected at capstan buttons to the associated action mechanisms  120 , respectively. The hammer assemblies  130  are rotatably supported by a shank flange rail  131 , which in turn is supported by the action brackets  121 . The sets of strings  150  are stretched over the hammer assemblies, and are to be struck with the associated hammer assemblies  130 . The dampers  140  are provided at the back of the keyboard  110 , and are actuated by the associated black/white keys  111 / 112 . The dampers  140  are held in contact with and spaced from the associated sets of strings  150  so as to permit the associated sets of strings to vibrate while the associated black/white keys  112 / 111  is moved from or to the rest positions. The pedal mechanism  160  includes a soft pedal  161 , a muffler pedal  162  and a damper pedal  163 . The soft pedal  161 , the muffler pedal  162  and the damper pedal  163  are selectively actuated so as to impart effects to the piano tones. 
     Assuming now that a white key  112  starts from the rest position toward the end position, the white key  112  actuates the associated action mechanism  120 , and spaces the associated damper  140  from the set of strings  150 . The set of strings  150  gets ready to vibrate. The action mechanism  120  slowly rotates the associated hammer  130 , and escapes from the hammer  130 . The escape gives rise to free rotation of the hammer  130 , and the hammer  130  strikes the associated set of strings  140 . The hammer  130  rebounds on the set of strings  150 . When the white key  112  is released, the white key  112  starts to return to the rest position. The released key  112  allows the damper  140  to be brought into contact with the set of strings  150  on the way toward the rest position, and the damper  140  absorbs the vibrations of the strings  150 . The hammer  130  is brought into contact with the associated action mechanism  120  before the released key  112  reaches the rest position. 
     Silent System 
     The silent system  300  includes a hammer stopper  310  and a suitable actuator such as an electric motor (not shown). The hammer stopper  310  is changed between a free position FP and a blocking position BP. While the hammer stopper  310  is staying at the free position FP, the hammer stopper  310  is out of the trajectories of the hammers  130 , and the hammers  130  strike the associated sets of strings  150  as described hereinbefore. On the other hand, when the hammer stopper  310  is changed to the blocking position BP, the hammer stopper  310  enters the trajectories of the hammers  130 . Although the action mechanisms  120  escape from the associated hammers  130 , the hammers  130  rebound on the hammer stopper  310  before reaching the associated sets of strings  150 , and the hammer stopper  310  keeps the associated sets of strings  150  silent. The electronic system  200  is responsive to the key motions, and generates electronic tones instead of the piano tones as will be hereinlater described in detail. 
     Electronic System 
     The electronic system  200  realizes three major functions, i.e., an automatic playing, an electronic tone generation and a support to the former functions. The electronic system  200  plays a tune on the acoustic piano  100  through the automatic playing function, and generates the electronic tones corresponding to the piano tones through the electronic tone generating function. The electronic system  200  accepts user&#39;s instructions through the supporting function. 
     Automatic Playing Function 
     In order to realize the automatic playing function, the electronic system  200  comprises a controller  210 , a servo-controller  220 , an array of solenoid-operated key actuators  230  and a memory  240 . The controller  210  includes a data processor, a program memory, a working memory, a bus system interconnecting the former components and suitable interfaces. Plural computer programs are. stored in the program memory for the functions, and the working memory offers temporary data storage to the data processor. The electric motor (not shown) for the hammer stopper  310 , the memory  240  and the servo-controller  220  are connected to the interface of the controller  210 . The memory  240  includes a suitable information storage medium such as, for example, a magnetic disc or an optical disc and a disc controller/driver. The disc controller/driver is connected to the interface of the controller  240 , and reads out music data codes from the information storage medium. The servo-controller  220  is connected between the controller  210  and the array of solenoid-operated key actuators  230 , and the controller  210  instructs the servo-controller  220  to selectively energize the solenoid-operated key actuators  230  through the control data codes. The array of solenoid-operated key actuators  230  is provided under the keyboard  110 . When the servo-controller  220  energizes a solenoid-operated key actuator  230  with driving current signals, the solenoid-operated key actuator  290  projects the plunger upwardly, and moves the associated black/white key  111 / 112  without fingering. The controller  210  instructs the electric motor (not shown) to change the hammer stopper  310  between the free position FP and the blocking position BP. 
     One of the computer programs is stored for the automatic playing function. While the computer program is running on the data processor, the data processor transfers a set of music data codes representative of a performance from the memory  240  to the working memory, and the data processor supplies the control data codes representative of target positions on the trajectories of the black/white keys  111 / 112  to the servo-controller  220  at appropriate times so as to move the solenoid-operated key actuators  230  for the playback. The solenoid-operated key actuators  230  are equipped with built-in sensors, and feedback signals are supplied to the built-in sensors to the servo-controller  220  for modifying the driving current signals. 
     Electronic Tone Generating Function 
     The electronic system  200  further comprises key sensors  250 , a tone generator  260  and a sound system  270  for the electronic tone generating function. The controller  210  cooperates with the key sensors  250  and the tone generator  260  for generating the electronic tones. The key sensors  250  are provided under the black/white keys  111 / 112 , and supply key position signals representative of current key positions of the associated black/white keys  111 / 112  to the controller  210 . The data processor periodically checks the key position signals to see whether or not any one of the black/white keys  111 / 112  changes the current key position. When the controller  210  notices a black/white key  111 / 112  moving, the controller  210  specifies the black/white key  111 / 112 , and calculates the key velocity. The key velocity is proportional to the loudness of the electronic tone to be generated. The time comes when the sound system generates the electronic tone. Then, the data processor supplies the music data codes representative of the electronic tone to be generated to the tone generator  260 . Then, the tone generator  260  tailors an audio signal on the basis of the music data codes, and supplies it to the sound system  270 . Then, the audio signal is converted to the electronic tone. 
     Supporting Function 
     The electronic system  200  further comprises an information processing subsystem  280  for the supporting function. The information processing subsystem  280  is connected to the controller  210 , and conveys user&#39;s wishes to the controller  210 . The controller  210  complies with the user&#39;s wishes, and controls the servo-controller  220  and the array of solenoid-operated key actuators  230  for the automatic playing function as well as the tone generator  260  for the electronic tone generating function. 
     Information Processing Subsystem 
     FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of system components incorporated in the information processing subsystem  280 . The information processing subsystem  280  includes a microphone  281 , a display unit  282 , a database  283 , an analog.-to-digital converter  284 , a speaker recognition engine  285  and a GUI controller  286 . The microphone  281  has a certain directivity, and is arranged in such a manner as to be directed to a pianist sitting in front of the keyboard  110  (see FIG.  2 ). When the pianist pronounces words, the microphone  281  converts the voice to an analog voice signal representative of his pronunciation. The microphone  281  is connected to the analog-to-digital converter  284 , and the analog voice signal is input to the analog-to-digital converter  284 . The analog-to-digital converter  284  converts the analog voice signal to a digital voice signal. The analog-to-digital converter  284  is connected to the speaker recognition engine  285 , and the digital voice signal is input to the speaker recognition engine  285 . 
     The speaker recognition engine  285  registered speakers as users, respectively. Speakers respectively have unique characteristic patterns on their pronunciations. The speaker recognition engine.  285  determined the unique characteristic patterns, and memorized the unique characteristic patterns together with identification codes respectively assigned to the users. When the registration was completed, the speaker recognition engine  285  notified the identification code to the database  283 . 
     In order to support the registration, the information processing subsystem  280  further includes a manager  287 , a graphic designer  288  and a messenger  289 . These components  287 ,  288  and  289 , the voice recognition engine  285  and the GUI controller  286  is implemented by software, hardware or the mixture therebetween. The messenger  289  may be implemented by a touch-sensitive panel attached to the display unit  282  and a computer program. The touch-sensitive panel may be replaced with a keyboard or a switch panel. When a user wants to customize a new picture for himself or herself, the user requests the messenger  289  to transfer his or her request to the manager  287 . Then, the manager  287  instructs the graphic designer  288  to assist the user in the origination. When the user completes a new picture, the manager  287  transfers pieces of image data information representative of the new picture to the database  283 , and instructs the speaker recognition engine  285  to assign an identification code to the user. The manager  287  stores the pieces of image data information and the identification code in a memory location not assigned yet. 
     Upon receiving the digital voice signal, the speaker recognition engine  285  analyzes the digital voice signal, and extracts a characteristic pattern representative of characteristics of the pronunciation from the digital voice signal. Characteristic patterns have been already registered in the speaker recognition engine  285  for users, and the speaker recognition engine  285  calculates the similarity between the given characteristic pattern and each of the characteristic patterns already registered. The speaker recognition engine  285  identifies the speaker with one of the users already registered, or determines that the speaker is a non-registered user. The speaker recognition engine  285  is further connected to the GUI (Graphic User Interface) controller  286 , and supplies a digital data signal representative of an identification code ID 1 , ID 2 , . . . IDN of the speaker. 
     The GUI controller  286  is connected to the database  283  and the display unit  282 . Relation between the identification codes ID 1 , ID 2 , . . . , IDN and IDP and pictures GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . GUIN and GUIP and relation between the pictures and their contents are stored in the database  283 . N and P are natural numbers, and natural number P is greater than natural number N. The picture GUI 1  is customized by a user ID 1 , and visual images A, C, . . . are to be produced on the picture GUI 1 . Similarly, the picture GUI 2  is customized by another user ID 2 , and contains visual images B, D, F, . . . . 
     The GUI controller  286  searches the database  283  for the picture GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . or GUIN customized by the speaker, and transfers digital image signal representative of the picture to the display unit  282 . It the speaker is the non-registered user, the identification code IDP is assigned to the nonregistered user, and the GUI controller  286  transfers the digital image signal representative of a standard picture GUIP to the display unit  282 . 
     The display unit  282  is, by way of example, implemented by a flat display panel such as, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit  282  selectively produces the picture GUI 1 , . . . , GUIN or GUIP on the screen. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B show the pictures produced on the screen. Visual images “VOLUME”, “TEMPO” and “BALANCE” form parts of the standard picture GUIP shown in FIG. 5A, and the user gives instructions for controllable parameters through the visual images. The screen may be overlain by a touch control panel, or a pointer may be moved on the picture by sliding a mouse. The image “VOLUME” is like a volume controller, and the volume controller has a dial. The image “TEMPO” is like a regulator for the tempo, and the other image “BALANCE” is like a regulator for balance between the piano tone and the electronic tones. The regulators have respective needles. The user virtually turns a dial of the volume controller for varying the volume of the electronic tones, and virtually moves the needles for adjusting the tempo and the balance to optimum values. When the speaker recognition engine  285  identifies the speaker with non-registered user, the GUI controller  286  transfers the digital image signal representative of the standard picture GUIP from the database  283  to the display unit  282 . 
     FIG. 5B shows one of the pictures GUI 1  to GUIN customized by a user. The picture shown in FIG. 5B is assumed to be customized by the user assigned the identification code ID 1 . Two images “REVERB” and “CHORUS” are added to the standard picture GUIP. The standard picture GUIP did not satisfy the user. The user added two visual images “REVERB” and “CHORUS” to the standard picture, and customized the picture shown in FIG.  5 B. The visual image “REVERB” is like a regulator with a movable needle. The name “REVERB” suggests that the depth of reverb is adjustable through the visual image. Similarly, the name “CHORUS” suggests that the degree of chorus effect is adjustable through the visual image. When the speaker recognition engine identifies the speaker with the registered user, the GUI controller  286  transfers the digital image signal representative of the picture shown in FIG. 5B from the database  283  to the display unit  282 . 
     Speaker Recognition Engine 
     FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the speaker recognition engine  285 . The speaker recognition engine  285  includes a signal processing section  290 , a voice analyzing section  291 , memories  292 - 1 ,  292 - 2 , . . . and  292 -N, calculating sections  293 - 1 ,  293 - 2 , . . . and  293 -N, a judging section  294  and an identification code assignor  295 . The analog-to-digital converter  284  is connected to the signal processing section  290 , and the digital voice signal is supplied from the analog-to-digital converter  284  to the signal processing section  290 . The signal processing section  290  carries out signal processing on the digital voice signal, and supplies a digital voice data signal to the voice analyzing section  291 . The voice analyzing section  291  instructs the signal processing section  290  to change the signal processing through a digital control signal. 
     The voice analyzing section  291  carries out an acoustic analysis, and determines a characteristic voice pattern on pronunciation of a speaker. The voice analyzing section  291  supplies a digital voice pattern signal representative of the characteristic voice pattern to the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N. 
     The memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N are respectively connected to the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N. The characteristic voice patterns have been already stored in the memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N for the registered users together with the identification codes given thereto. When the characteristic voice patterns were stored in the memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N, the identification code assignor  295   10  assigned the identification codes ID 1 , ID 2 , . . . and IDN to the registered users, and the identification codes ID 1 , ID 2 , . . . and IDN were stored in the memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N together with the characteristic voice patterns. The identification code assignor  295  does not assign any identification code to plural users. Thus, the identification codes ID 1  to IDN are managed by the identification code assignor  295 . When the identification code assignor  295  newly assigns an identification code to a user, the identification code assignor  295  notifies the identification code to the database  283 , and the identification code is linked with a picture customized by the user. 
     When the voice analyzing section  291  distributes the characteristic voice pattern to the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N, the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N read out the characteristic voice patterns and the identification codes ID 1  to IDN from the associated memories, and calculate the similarity between the given characteristic voice pattern and the stored characteristic voice pattern. Upon completion of the calculation, the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N supply digital data signals representative of the calculated values of similarity and the identification codes to the judging section  294 . 
     The judging section  294  compares the values of similarity with one another to see whom the speaker resembles in voice pattern closely. When one of the registered users is selected, the judging section  294  checks the similarity to see whether or not the calculated value is equal to or greater than a critical value. If the answer is given positive, the judging section  294  identifies the speaker with the user. On the other hand, if the answer is given negative, the judging section  294  does not identify the speaker with anyone, and determines that the speaker is a non-registered user. Finally, the judging section  294  supplies a digital data signal representative of the identification code assigned to the spedified user or the non-registered user to the GUI controller  286 . 
     Assuming now a new user whose name is Taro wants to customize his picture, he orders the messenger  289  to convey his wish to the manager  287 . The manager  287  requests the messenger  289  to prompt him to give his name. The user gives his name “Taro” to the messenger  289 , and the messenger  289  conveys his name to the manager  287 . The manager  287  memorizes his name “Taro”. 
     Subsequently, the manager  287  requests the messenger  289  to prompt him to pronounce several words, and instructs the speaker recognition engine  285  to register a characteristic voice pattern in a free memory  292 - 1  to  292 -N. The user directs his face to the microphone  281 , and pronounces several words. The user continues the pronunciation for about  20  seconds. The microphone  281  generates the analog voice signal representative of his pronunciation, and supplies the analog voice, signal to the analog-to-digital converter  284 . The analog-to-digital converter  284  converts the analog voice signal to the digital voice signal, and supplies the digital voice signal to the speaker recognition engine  285 . After the signal processing, the voice analyzing section  291  extracts a characteristic voice pattern from his pronunciation. The memory  292 - 1  is assumed to be free. Then, the characteristic voice pattern is stored in the free memory  292 - 1 . The identification code assignor  295  assigned an identification code ID 1  to the characteristic voice pattern, which has not been assigned to any user, to the user, and the identification code ID 1  is also stored in the memory  292 - 1 . Finally, the speaker recognition engine  285  reports the registration to the manager  287 . 
     The manager  287  instructs the speaker recognition engine  285  to transfer the identification code ID 1  to the database  283 , and gives an address not assigned yet to the database  283 . The speaker recognition engine  285  supplies a digital data signal representative of the identification code ID 1  to the database  283 , and the identification code ID 1  is stored at the given address. 
     When the identification code ID 1  is stored, the manager  287  requests the messenger  289  to notify the completion of the registration to the user through a picture shown in FIG.  7 . The messenger  289  produces the picture on the display unit  282 . When the user confirmed the registration, the manager  287  requests the graphic designer  288  to assist the user in origination of a picture. The user customizes a picture with the assistance of the graphic designer  288 , and instructs the messenger  289  to convey his message that he has completed the new picture to the manager  287 . 
     When the user&#39;s message reaches the manager  287 , the manager  287  requests the messenger  289  to beg the user to input his identification code. The messenger  289  produces a message “Please teach me your identification code” on the display unit  282 . The user gives his identification code ID 1  to the messenger  289 , and the messenger  289  conveys the identification code ID 1  to the manager  287 . 
     Upon reception of the identification code ID 1 , the manager  287  requests the graphic designer  288  to transfer the pieces of image data information representative of the new picture GUI 1  to the database  283 , and gives the database  283  an address linked with the address where the identification code ID 1  has been already stored. The pieces of image data information is stored at the address, and the picture GUI 1  is linked with the identification code ID 1  in the database  283 . 
     The user Taro is assumed to be going to play a tune on the keyboard  110  through the electronic tones. The user pronounces words “initial set-up” toward the microphone  281 . The manager  287  may request the messenger  289  to produce a prompt message on the display unit  282 . 
     The microphone  281  generates the analog voice signal representative of the pronunciation, and supplies the analog voice signal to the analog-to-digital converter  284 . The analog-to-digital converter  284  converts the analog voice signal to the digital voice signal, and supplies the digital voice signal to the speaker recognition engine  285 . The speaker recognition engine  285  identifies the speaker with one of the registered users, or determines that the speaker is a non-registered user as follows. 
     The digital voice signal representative of the pronunciation is supplied through the signal processing section  290  to the voice analyzing section  291 , and the voice analyzing section  291  extracts the characteristic voice pattern from the pronunciation. The voice analyzing section  291  produces the digital voice pattern signal representative of the characteristic voice pattern, and distributes the digital voice pattern signal to the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N. The calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N read out the characteristic voice patterns and the identification codes from the associated memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N, respectively, and calculates the similarity between the characteristic voice pattern of the speaker and the characteristic voice patterns stored in the associated memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N. When the calculation is completed, the calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N supply the digital data signals representative of the calculating results and the identification to the judging section  294 . 
     As described hereinbefore, the characteristic voice pattern of Taro&#39;s pronunciation was stored in the memory  292 - 1 . The similarity calculated by the calculating section  293 - 1  is to be at the maximum and exceed the critical value. The judging section  294  determines that the speaker has the strongest resemblance to Taro. Then, the judging section  294  produces the digital data signal representative of the identification code ID 1 , and supplies the digital data signal to the GUI controller  283 . 
     The GUI controller  283  supplies the digital data signal representative of the identification code ID 1  to the database  283 . With the digital data signal representative of the identification code ID 1 , the database  283  specifies the picture GUI 1  customized by Taro, and supplies the digital image signal representative of the contents of the picture GUI 1  to the GUI controller  286 . The GUI controller  286  transfers the digital image signal to the display unit  282 , and the picture GUI 1  is produced on the display unit  282 . 
     A non-registered user is assumed to pronounce the words “initial set-up”. A characteristic voice pattern is extracted from the pronunciation, and is compared to with the characteristic voice patterns stored in the memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N. Although the associated calculating sections  293 - 1  to  293 -N calculate the similarity between the characteristic voice pattern of the speaker and the characteristic voice patterns stored in the associated memories  292 - 1  to  292 -N, the calculation results are less than the critical value. The judging section  294  decides that the speaker is a non-registered user. The judging section  294  supplies the digital data signal representative of the identification code IDP to the GUI controller  286 , and the GUI controller  286  searches the database for the standard picture GUIP. The digital image signal representative of the standard picture GUIP is transferred from the database  283  through the GUI controller  286  to the display unit  282 , and the standard picture GUIP shown in FIG. 5A is produced on the display unit  282 . 
     As will be understood from the foregoing description, either registered or non-registered user searches the database  283  for the picture customized by himself or herself by pronouncing the words toward the microphone  281 . This means that the user does not repeat the manipulation before reaching the target picture. Upon reproduction of the picture, the user changes the controllable parameter in a moment. Thus, the electronic system  280  permits the player to change the controllable parameters such as, for example, the loudness, tempo, the reverb or chorus effect without any interruption of his performance. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Turning to FIG. 8 of the drawings, an information processing subsystem  400  forms a part of an electronic system. The electronic system is incorporated in a keyboard musical instrument embodying the present invention. Although the electronic system further includes a key-switch array, a controller, a tone generator and a sound system, they are not shown in the figure. The controller may be identical with the controller  210  or specialized for generating electric tones only. 
     The information processing subsystem  400  includes a microphone  281 , a display unit  282 , an analog-to-digital converter  284 , a speaker recognition engine  285 , a speech recognition engine  401 , a GUI controller  402  and a database  403 . The microphone  281 , the display unit  282 , the analog-to-digital converter  284  and the speaker recognition engine  285  are similar to those of the information processing subsystem  280 . For this reason, those components are labeled with the same references designating the corresponding components of the information processing subsystem  280  without detailed description. Although the manager  287 , the graphic designer  288  and the messenger  289  are further incorporated in the information processing sub-system  400 , they behave as similar to those in the information processing system  280 , and are not shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The speech recognition engine  401  is connected in parallel to the speaker recognition engine  285 , and the digital voice signal is supplied from the analog-to digital converter  284  to the voice recognition engine  401  as well as the speaker recognition engine  285 . The speech recognition engine  401  decides what words the speaker pronounces. The speech recognition engine  401  produces a digital data signal representative of the words pronounced by the speaker, and supplies the digital data signal to the GUI controller  402 . The speaker recognition engine  285  identifies the speaker with one of the registered users, or determines that the speaker is a non-registered user as similar to that of the first embodiment. The speaker recognition engine  285  supplies the digital data signal representative of the identification code to the GUI controller  402 . 
     Plural picture groups G 1 , G 2 , . . . , GN and GP are stored in the database  403 . The picture groups G 1  to GN are related to the identification codes ID 1 , ID 2 , IDN, which have been respectively assigned to user  1 , user  2 , . . . and user N. The pictures in each group G 1 , G 2 , . . . GN or GP are corresponding to particular words. The pictures GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . GUIN and GUIP are corresponding to the words “initial set-up”. On the other hand, the pictures GUIA 1 , GUIA 2 , . . . GUIAN and GUIAP are corresponding to words “menu for performance”. The pictures GUI 1  to GUIN are customized by the users, respectively, as similar to those of the first embodiment. In this instance, the manager, the graphic designer and the messenger are involved in the customization of the pictures GUIA 1  to GUIAP. 
     When the GUI controller  402  receives the digital data signal representative of the identification code and the digital data signal representative of the words pronounced by the speaker, the GUI controller  402  selects one of the picture groups G 1  to GP assigned to the user or non-registered user by using an address representative of the identification code, and selects a particular kind of pictures such as GUI 1 -GUIP or GUIA 1 -GUIAP by using another address. Thus, the GUI controller  402  selects a picture from the database  403 , and transfers the digital image signal representative of the selected picture to the display unit  282 . Thus, the speech recognition engine  401  cooperates with the speaker recognition engine  285 , and the GUI controller  402  causes the display unit  282  to produce a picture on the basis of the two kinds of voice recognition. 
     Though not shown in FIG. 8, the information processing subsystem  400  further includes a messenger and a manager corresponding the messenger  289  and the manager  287 , and the messenger conveys instructions or commands from the speech recognition engine  401  to the manager. When the picture GUI 1 , . . . GUIN or GUIP is produced on the display unit  282 , the user gives the commands for the controllable parameters to the messenger through the speech recognition engine  401 . The user is assumed to increase the volume. The user pronounces word “volume” to the microphone  281 , and the speech recognition engine  401  recognizes the pronunciation as “volume”. Then, the messenger conveys the user&#39;s command “volume” to the manager, and the manager gets ready to change the volume. The manager may change the color of the visual image in the picture. Subsequently, the user pronounces word “increase” toward the microphone  281 . The speech recognition engine  401  recognizes the pronunciation as word “increase”, and the messenger conveys the command “increase” to the manager. The manager gradually turns the dial, and increments the pieces of acoustic data information representative of the loudness stored in an internal register together with the position of the dial. When the dial reaches an appropriate position, the user pronounces word “stop” toward the microphone  281 , and the speech recognition engine  401  recognizes the pronunciation as word “stop”. The messenger conveys the command “stop” to the manager. The manager stops the dial, and supplies the pieces of acoustic data information from the internal register to the controller. Thus, the speech recognition engine  401  is associated with the manager as well as the GUI controller  402 . to The speech recognition engine  401  includes a signal processing section  410 , a speech analyzer  411 , the comparator  412  and a memory  413  as shown in FIG.  9 . The analog-to-digital converter  284  is connected to the signal processing section  410 , and the digital voice signal is supplied from the analog-to-digital converter  284  to the signal processing section  410 . The speech analyzer  411  has instructed the signal processing section  410  to carry out a function, and the function is changeable. The signal processing section  410  supplies the digital acoustic signal to the speech analyzer  411  after the signal processing carried out along the given function. 
     The speech analyzer  411  has plural acoustic models, and pieces of acoustic data information representative of phonemes are fabricated into each of the acoustic models. When the digital acoustic signal reaches the speech analyzer  411 , the speech analyzer  411  breaks the pronunciation into frames, and carries out a phoneme analysis on the frames so as to build a series of phonemes with a high possibility. The speech analyzer  411  checks an internal memory (not shown) to see whether or not the series of phonemes is corresponding to a word or words. If there is a word or words possibly corresponding to the series of phonemes, the speech analyzer  411  carries out a syntactic analysis by using language models for the word or words. The speech analyzer  411  decides a word, phrase or sentence, and supplies a digital data signal representative of the word, phrase or sentence to the comparator  412 . The comparator  412  checks the memory to see what command/parameter the speaker gives to the information processing subsystem  40 . The comparator  412  decides a command or controllable parameter at the highest possibility and other candidates expressed through the word, phrase or sentence. The comparator  412  produces the digital data signal representative of the command or controllable parameter and the other candidates in a format to be uniquely interpreted by the GUI controller  402  or the manager, and supplies the digital data signal to the GUI controller  402  or the messenger. 
     As will be understood from the foregoing description, the information processing subsystem  400  interprets the pronunciation of the speaker, and selects a picture to be produced on the display unit  282  from the database  403 . It is not necessary for the user to repeat the manipulation on the panel. Moreover, the user can change the controllable parameters through the speech recognition. This means that, even if there are a lot of controllable parameters, the user can change an arbitrary controllable parameter without any interruption of his performance. 
     The information processing subsystem according to the present invention offers a wide variety of musical expression to musicians through the parameter change during the performance. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Turning to FIG. 10 of the drawings, pieces of personal information F 1 , F 2 , . . . and FN are incorporated in a database  430  together with the pictures GUI 1  to GUIP and GUIA 1  to GUIAP. The database  430  forms a part of an information processing system corresponding to the information processing system  400 . The other system components are similar to those of the information processing system  400 , and the description is not repeated for the sake of simplicity. The information processing system implementing the third embodiment is also incorporated in a musical instrument. 
     The pieces of personal information F 1  to FN are stored in personal files respectively assigned to the user ID 1  to IDN, and are, by way of example, displayed on the screen together with the pictures GUI 1  to GUIN. The pieces of personal information F 1  to FN are customized by the users ID 1  to IDN, respectively. One of the pieces of personal information F 1  to FN is produced on the display unit as shown in FIG.  11 . Age, sex, degree of difficulty, degree of progress are displayed together with a list of musical compositions recently practiced. Degrees of difficulty are selectively given to the music compositions, and average times of keyboard practice to be required for the music compositions are also estimated for the music compositions. The pieces of music data information representative of the degree and the average times are stored in the database  430  for each of the music compositions. When the user ID 1 , ID 2 , . . . or IDN specifies a music composition, the pieces of music data information representative of the degree and the average times are transferred to the file F 1 , F 2 , . . . or FN. The pieces of music data information representative of the degree of difficulty and the average times are displayed in the windows “DIFFICULTY” and “PROGRESS”. The user would memorize how many times he has practiced the music composition, and compare his good memory with the average times in the window “PROGRESS”. The manager may store the number of keyboard practices already carried out in the file F 1 , F 2 , . . . or FN so as to inform the user of the degree of progress. 
     When Taro pronounces the words “initial set-up”, the speaker recognition engine identifies the speaker with Taro, and the speech recognition engine specifies the picture GUI 1 . Then, the GUI controller transfers the digital image signal representative of the picture GUI 1  and the contents of the file F 1  from the database  430  to the display unit, and a composite picture CGUI 1  is produced on the display unit as shown in FIG.  12 . An upper section of the display unit is assigned to the piece of personal information F 1 ,.and the picture GUI 1  is produced in a lower section of the display unit. 
     It is desirable for the user to check the personal information for his progress. The piece of personal information representative of the degree of progress will encourage the user to repeat the practice as well as concentrate himself on the keyboard practice. 
     In the third embodiment, the pieces of personal information are also stored in the database, and are retrieved through the voice recognition technologies. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG. 13 shows still another information processing subsystem  450 . The information processing subsystem  450  is incorporated in a keyboard musical instrument. A transporter  451  and a memory  452  are newly added to the information processing subsystem  280 . The transporter  451  is responsive to an instruction of the controller  210 , and selectively writes a picture for beginner&#39;s class, a picture for middle class and a picture for advanced class into the database  283  as the picture GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . or GUIN. The picture for beginner&#39;s class, the picture for middle class and the picture for advanced class differently contain visual images as shown in FIG.  14 . The picture for beginner&#39;s class is simpler than the picture for middle class, because the beginners create the music composition through simple tones. From this viewpoint, the picture for advanced class is the most complicated of all. 
     The skill of each user is managed by the controller  210 . The controller  210  judges the skill on the basis of the amount of practice such as, for example, the rehearsal time per month, the number of practices for a music composition, the music composition currently practiced and the degree of consistency between the keys to be depressed on the music score and the keys detected by the key sensor  250  in the practice. The controller  210  produces a digital control signal representative of the skill, and supplies the digital control signal to the transporter  451 . The transporter selects one of the pictures P 1 , P 2  and P 3  depending upon the skill, and transfers the digital image signal representative of the selected picture P 1 /P 2 /P 3  from the memory  452  to the database  283 . The selected picture P 1 /P 2  or P 3  is written into the database as the picture GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . GUIN. 
     Assuming now that the controller  210  judges that the user Taro steps up from the beginner&#39;s class to the middle class, the transporter  451  transfers the digital image signal representative of the picture P 2  from the memory  452  to the database  283 . Then, the pieces of image data information representative of the picture P 1  shown in FIG. 15A is replaced with the pieces of image data information representative of the picture P 2  shown in FIG.  15 B. The picture P 1  only contains the personal information and the visual image of volume controller. However, the visual images of regulators “TEMPO”, “BALANCE”, “REVERB” and “CHORUS” are added to the picture P 1 . Thus, the picture P 2  for middle class is more complicated than the picture P 1  for beginner&#39;s class. 
     The information processing subsystem  450  prepares the semi-custom made pictures GUI 1  to GUIN for the registered users depending upon their skills. Although the users do not need customizing their own pictures GUI 1  to GUIN, the pictures GUI 1  to GUIN are automatically changed depending upon the skills, and they call the semi-custom made pictures to the display unit through the speaker recognition engine. 
     In the first and fourth embodiments, the speaker recognition engine serves as a voice recognition engine. On the other hands, the speaker recognition engine and the speech recognition engine as a whole constitute the voice recognition engine in the second and third embodiments. The data base  283 ,  403  or  430  is corresponding to a memory, and the microphone  281  serves as a voice-to-signal converter. The messenger and the manager as a whole constitute a controller. The black/white keys  111 / 112  are corresponding to plural manipulators, and the acoustic piano  100 , the controller  210 , the servo-controller  220 , the solenoid-operated key actuators  230 , the memory  240 , the key sensors  250 , the tone generator  260  and the sound system  270  as a whole constitute a tone generating system. The controller  210 , the key sensors  250 , the tone generator  260  and the sound system  270  may form in combination the tone generating system. 
     As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, each registered user calls his own picture GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . or GUIN on the display unit through his voice, and the user easily assesses pieces of control data information appropriate thereto. 
     Moreover, the user can customize the picture, and quickly calls the customized picture on the display unit. 
     When the information processing system is used in a musical instrument, the user calls his own picture on the display unit through his voice, and changes the controllable parameters even in performance. 
     Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The piece of personal information stored in each file F 1 , F 2 , . . . or FN may be automatically rewritten depending upon the number of practices in music. 
     A mail address and/or telephone code may form part of the personal information. 
     Users may specify the color of each visual image, the location of the visual image and languages such as English language or Japanese language in the picture. 
     The semi-custom made pictures P 1  to P 3  may be selectively transferred from the memory  452  to the database  283  by the users. In this instance, the user may input his or her skill into the controller  210 . 
     When the controller  210  judges the skill, users age may be taken into account. 
     The controller may schedule user&#39;s practice such as, for example, a series of music compositions, to be practiced and the amount of practice per day. In this instance, the controller writes the schedule in the file&#39; F 1 , F 2 , . . . or FN, and the GUI controller produces the image of schedule on the display unit together with the picture GUI 1 , GUI 2 , . . . or GUIN. Then, the user is motivated to practice the musical instrument. 
     The information processing system according to the present invention is available for all kinds of musical instruments. The information processing system is further applicable to any kind of electronic goods.