Abstract:
A performance processing apparatus is operable by user with aide of control and sound devices for providing sample music data to data management apparatus. A storage section stores original music data representing a music piece composed of tones. An acquisition section acquires input information from control device which has a detector for detecting either physical action or physiological state of user and operated by user to provide input information indicating detection result by detector. A processing section controls a performance parameter according to input information for enabling sound device to generate tones of the music piece represented by original music data and altered by user. A transmitting section transmits sample music data representing music piece composed of tones controlled by the performance parameter to the data management apparatus which has a storage device for storing sample music data for use as a material of evaluating mental or physical function of user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Industrial Field of Utilization 
   The present invention relates generally to a technology for controlling tones sounded from a sound output device such as a loudspeaker in accordance with operations by a user or physiological conditions of a user. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Music therapy has been attracting attention in wide-ranging medical care fields such as the rehabilitation for maintaining and recovering mental and physical functions, the treatment of diseases, the prevention of dementia, and the caring of handicapped children. In music therapy, methods are employed in which music is used to mitigate the anxiety and pain of patients and the behavior in music performance by patients is observed by experts called music therapists to evaluate (or diagnose) patient&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   However, in music therapy, the mental and physical functions of patients are evaluated in accordance with the results of observation of the patient&#39;s behavior in music performance. In contrast to the conventional medical approaches based on the evaluation of patient&#39;s mental and physical functions by use of quantitative data such as heart rate and blood pressure, the music therapy is difficult to objectively grasp patient&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to collect the quantitative data to be provided for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions and TO use the collected data for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   In carrying out the invention and according to one aspect thereof, there is provided a performance processing apparatus operable by a user with an aide of a control device and a sound device for providing sample music data to a data management apparatus. The inventive performance processing apparatus comprises a first storage section that stores original music data representing a music piece composed of tones, an acquisition section that acquires input information from the control device which has a detector for detecting either of physical action or physiological state of the user and which is operated by the user to provide the input information indicating the detection result by the detector, a processing section that controls a performance parameter according to the input information for enabling the sound device to generate tones of the music piece which is represented by the original music data and which is altered by the user, and a transmitting section that transmits sample music data representing the music piece composed of the tones controlled by the performance parameter to the data management apparatus which has a second storage section for storing the sample music data for use as a material of evaluating mental or physical function of the user. 
   According to this novel configuration, the sample music data with the performance parameters of the original music data controlled in accordance with user&#39;s action or physiological condition are generated, so that the sample music data may be used as the quantitative data for evaluating user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned data management apparatus is provided for managing data including original music data and sample music data in association with a performance processing apparatus having a sound device and being operated by a user. The inventive data management apparatus comprises a receiving section that receives the sample music data from the performance processing apparatus, which controls a performance parameter according to input information representing physical action or physiological state of the user for enabling the sound device to generate tones of a music piece which is represented by the original music data and which is altered by the user, and which transmits the sample music data representing the music piece composed of the tones controlled by the performance parameter, and a storage section that stores the received sample music data for use as a material of evaluating mental or physical function of the user. 
   According to this data management apparatus, the sample music data with user&#39;s action or physiological condition reflected are held in its storage section, so that use of these sample music data may realize the objective evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   In the above-mentioned data management apparatus, the sample music data stored in the storage section may be transmitted to the evaluation apparatus which is separate from the data management apparatus. Otherwise, the data management apparatus may have a providing section for providing the sample music data to the evaluator who evaluates user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the basis of the performance parameters of the sample music data. Namely, the data management apparatus associated with the former has a sample music data transmitting section for transmitting the sample music data stored in the above-mentioned sample music data storage section to the evaluation apparatus for evaluating the mental and physical functions of the user of the above-mentioned performance processing apparatus on the basis of the performance parameters of the sample music data. On the other hand, the data management apparatus associated with the latter has a data providing section for providing the data to the evaluator who evaluates the mental and physical functions of the user of the above-mentioned performance processing apparatus on the basis of the performance parameters of the sample music data. In each configuration, in order to realize a more objective and reliable evaluation, it is desirable to arrange a configuration in which not only the sample music data but also the original music data common in music with the sample music data, thereby providing these two data for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the basis of the comparison between the performance parameters of the sample music data and those of the original music data. 
   In carrying out the invention and according to still another aspect thereof, there is provided an evaluation apparatus in association with the data management apparatus for evaluating sample music data from the performance processing apparatus having a sound device and being operated by a user. The inventive evaluation apparatus comprises a receiving section that receives the sample music data via the data management apparatus from the performance processing apparatus, which controls a performance parameter according to input information representing physical action or physiological state of the user for enabling the sound device to generate tones of a music piece which is represented by original music data and which is altered by the user, and which transmits the sample music data representing the music piece composed of the tones controlled by the performance parameter, a storage section that stores the sample music data received by the receiving section, and a providing section that provides the sample music data to an evaluator who evaluates a mental or physical function of the user according to the performance parameter contained in the provided sample music data. 
   According to this evaluation apparatus, the evaluator may objectively evaluate user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the basis of the performance parameters of the sample music data supplied from the data providing section. It should be noted that, in order to realize a more objective and reliable evaluation, it is desirable to provide, in addition to the sample music data, the original music data to the evaluator who evaluate user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the basis of the comparison between the performance parameters of the sample music data and those of the original music data. 
   It should be noted that the present invention may also be identified as a data management system comprising the above-mentioned performance processing apparatus, data management apparatus, and evaluation apparatus. In this data management system, the data management apparatus and the evaluation apparatus may be arranged in one unit or separate units. In addition, the present invention may be identified as a software program for making a computer function as the above-mentioned performance processing apparatus, data management apparatus, or evaluation apparatus. This software program may be installed in the computer via a network or from a computer-readable recording medium. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system practiced as one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the external view of a control. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the above-mentioned control. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a performance processing apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of music data. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data management apparatus. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the contents of a performance contents table. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an evaluation apparatus. 
       FIG. 9  is a sequence chart illustrating operations of the above-mentioned embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the contents of performance processing. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating the contents of a mental and physical function evaluation screen. 
       FIG. 12  is another diagram illustrating other contents of the mental and physical function evaluation screen. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   &lt;A: Configuration of Embodiment&gt; 
   First, an entire configuration of a communication system practiced as one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . As shown in the figure, this communication system comprises a communication network  10  including the Internet, a public telephone network, and so on, a performance processing system  20 , a data management apparatus  30 , and an evaluation apparatus  40 . The data management apparatus  30 , the evaluation apparatus  40 , and a performance processing apparatus  23  of the performance processing system  20  are connected to the communication network  10 . It should be noted that  FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration in which the performance processing apparatus  23  (the performance processing system  20 ), the data management apparatus  30 , and the evaluation apparatus  40  are arranged each in a single unit; it will be apparent that each of the these apparatuses may be arranged in two or more units. 
   The performance processing system  20  is installed at facilities (for example, rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes) for those having mental or physical troubles and patients suffering from various diseases (these people will hereafter be referred to as “users”). This performance processing system  20 , while controlling the performance parameters (tempo, volume, and so on) of a tone sounded from a loudspeaker on the basis of music data in accordance with the action of the user, generates new music data (namely, the music data of tones actually sounded from the loudspeaker) with the performance parameters changed in accordance with this action of the user. In what follows, the music data on which the sound output by the performance processing system  20  is based may be referred to as “original tone data” to distinguish from the new music data to be referred to as “sample music data” generated on the basis of this sound output. Obviously, if these two kinds of tone data need not be distinguished from each other, they will be generically referred to as “tone data.” As described above, the sample music data are obtained by reflecting the action of the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sample music data generated by the performance processing system  20  are put in use as the data for evaluating the mental and physical functions of the user. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the performance processing system  20  comprises a plurality of controls  21 , the performance processing apparatus  23 , a sound system  251 , and a loudspeaker  252 . The sound system  251  and the loudspeaker  252  output tones under the control of the performance processing apparatus  23 . To be more specific, the sound system  251  receives the digital data (hereafter referred to as tone waveform data) indicative of the waveform of tones from the performance processing apparatus  23 , converts the received tone waveform data into an analog signal, amplifies this analog signal, and outputs the amplified analog signal. The loudspeaker  252  outputs, as music tones, the analog signal received from the sound system  251 . Instead of the loudspeaker  252 , an earphone or a headphone may be used. 
   Each of the plurality of controls  21  is carried or worn by the user to detect the action of the user and transmits the information indicative of the detection results (hereafter referred to as “action information”) to the performance processing apparatus  23 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the control  21  associated with the invention is a long, generally cylindrical member which is gripped by the user. To be more specific, the control  21  is tapered from its each end toward a position in the proximity of the center along its length so that this position is smaller in diameter than each end. Gripping the control  21  on the position in the proximity of the center of the control  21 , the user swings or shakes the control  21  as desired. In what follows, with the user, standing perpendicular to the horizontal plane, gripping the control  21 , its length being toward the user, the horizontal direction relative to the user is expressed as “x-axis direction,” the vertical (up and down) direction relative the user is expressed as “y-axis direction,” and the forward and backward direction relative to the user is expressed as “z-axis direction.” 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the control  21 . As shown, the control  21  comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  211 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  212 , a sensor  213 , and a transmitter  214 . The CPU  211  controls the entire operation of the control  21  by executing programs stored in the ROM  212 . The ROM  212  stores the programs to be executed by the CPU  211  and the identification information allocated uniquely to the control  21 . 
   The sensor  213  outputs to the CPU  211  an electrical signal corresponding to an action of the user, in other words, an electrical signal corresponding to a motion of the control  21  accompanying an operation of the user. The sensor  213  may be any of detection devices such as two-dimensional velocity sensor, two-dimensional acceleration sensor, three-dimensional velocity sensor, three-dimensional acceleration sensor, and strain detector. In the present embodiment, a three-dimensional acceleration sensor for detecting the accelerations in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions is assumed as the sensor  213 . The CPU  211  generates action information on the basis of the electrical signals supplied from the sensor  213 . This action information includes acceleration αx in the x-axis direction, acceleration αy in the y-axis direction, and acceleration α z in the z-axis direction (refer to  FIG. 10 ). 
   On the other hand, the transmitter  214  executes communication with the performance processing apparatus  23 . To be more specific, the transmitter  214  transmits the action information generated by the CPU  211  to the performance processing apparatus  23  along with the identification information of the control  21 . For the communication between the transmitter  214  and the performance processing apparatus  23 , the infrared communication based on IrDA or the wireless communication based on Bluetooth (trademark) may be used. However, the communication between the transmitter  214  and the performance processing apparatus  23  is not limited to the above-mentioned communication schemes; for example, a communication cable may be connected between the transmitter  214  and the performance processing apparatus  23  for wired communication. 
   The performance processing apparatus  23  shown in  FIG. 1  is a computer system which controls the performance parameters in accordance with an action of the user and outputs the resultant tones indicated by the original music data from the loudspeaker  252  while generating the sample music data indicative of the music based on the tones with the performance parameters controlled and altered. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the performance processing apparatus  23  comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  231 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  232 , a storage unit  233 , an input unit  234 , a communication unit  235 , a receiver  236 , a tone generator circuit  237 , and an effector circuit  238 . These components are interconnected via a bus  239 . 
   The CPU  231  controls the entire operation of the performance processing apparatus  23  by executing the programs stored in the storage unit  233  and a ROM (Read Only Memory) not shown. The RAM  232  is used by the CPU  231  as its main storage. Namely, the RAM  232  temporarily stores the programs to be executed by the CPU  231  and the data for use in the execution of these programs. The storage unit  233  is a hard disk drive for example, which stores the programs to be executed by the CPU  231 , for example. These programs include a performance processing program for controlling the performance parameters of music in accordance with the action information inputted from the control  21 . 
   The storage unit  233  also stores the original music data and the sample music data generated on the basis of the original music data. In the present embodiment, the original music data and the sample music data are both of SMF (Standard MINI File) format based on MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is schematically shown a data structure of music data (the original music data and the sample music data). The music data of one piece of music include two or more pieces of data (hereafter referred to as part data) corresponding to different parts. Each piece of part data is a data sequence made up of many sequentially arranged pairs of delta time (Δ t) and events. The delta time is data indicative of a time interval between two events outputted contiguously in time to the tone generator circuit  237 . 
   The events in the part data specify, for the tone generator circuit  237 , the tone of that part and the generation or mute of this tone and are largely divided into MIDI events for specifying the contents of performance such as note-on and note-off and the meta events for specifying tempo and so on. The MIDI events include a note-on event including the specifications of a note number to be sounded and velocity, a note-off event including the specification of a tone to be noted off, a program change event including the specification of timbre, a control change event including the specification of an effect to be imparted to a tone, and a pitch bend event including the specification of a pitch variable. The meta events include the specification of music tempo and so on. 
   The input unit  234  shown in  FIG. 4  has a plurality of operator keys through which the user enters various operations and supplies the electrical signals representative of these operations to the CPU  231 . The communication unit  235  exchanges information with the data management apparatus  30  via the communication network  10 . To be more specific, the communication unit  235  receives the original music data from the data management apparatus  30  and outputs the received data to the CPU  231 , at the same time receiving from the CPU  231  the sample music data generated in accompaniment with the performance processing using the original music data to transmit the received sample music data to the data management apparatus  30 . The receiver  236  carries out communication with the controls  21 . Namely, the receiver  236  receives action information from one or more of the controls  21  and outputs the received information to the CPU  231 . 
   The tone generator circuit  237  and the effector circuit  238  are means for generating tone waveform data under the control of the CPU  231 , each being constituted by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The tone generator circuit  237 , upon reception of an event from the CPU  231 , generates tone waveform data indicative of a tone waveform corresponding to the received event. The tone generator circuit  237  has a plurality of channels corresponding to different parts. In each of the channels, the event of part data corresponds to that channel. In this configuration, the tone waveform data of a plurality of parts are outputted in parallel from the tone generator circuit  237 . 
   The effector circuit  238  imparts various musical effects to the tone waveform data of different parts outputted from the tone generator circuit  237 . The contents and degrees of the effects to be imparted by the effector circuit  238  are determined by the CPU  231  with reference to the action information received from the controls  21  corresponding to the parts. The effects to be imparted to tones include reverberation, echo, and others. 
   The data management apparatus  30  shown in  FIG. 1  is a computer system for managing the original music data of the music to be performed in the performance processing system  20  and for managing the sample music data created by the performance processing apparatus  23 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the data management apparatus  30  comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  301 , a communication unit  302  connected to the CPU  301  via a bus  310 , and a storage unit  303 . The CPU  301  controls the components of the data management apparatus  30  by executing programs stored in the storage unit  303 . On the other hand, the communication unit  302  carries out communication with the performance processing apparatus  23  and the evaluation apparatus  40  via the communication network  10 . 
   The storage unit  303  stores original music data, sample music data, and a performance contents table, in addition to the data management program to be executed by the CPU  301 . The sample music data stored in the storage unit  303  were created in the past by the performance processing apparatus  23  on the basis of the action of the user. Therefore, for each piece of music indicated by the original music data, two or more pieces of sample music data created in the past can be stored in the storage unit  303 . It should be noted that the configurations of the original music data and the sample music data are as described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The performance contents table is indicative of the contents of performance processing conducted in the performance processing system  20 . To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the performance contents table has a plurality of records. Each of these records includes, as fields, the names of groups performed by use of the performance processing system  20 , one or more user names belonging to that group, and one or more part names allocated to the controls  21  owned by each user. 
   The evaluation apparatus  40  shown in  FIG. 1 , is a computer system installed at facilities (such as medical facilities or a nursing home) in which such experts associated with the evaluation and analysis of mental and physical functions as music therapists reside. The evaluation apparatus  40  is used for evaluating the mental and physical functions of the user. In what follows, the person (for example, a music therapist) who evaluates the user&#39;s mental and physical functions by use of the evaluation apparatus  40  is referred to simply as “evaluator.” 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , the evaluation apparatus  40  comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  401 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  402 , a storage unit  403 , an input unit  404 , a communication unit  405 , a display unit  406 , a tone generator circuit  407 , an effector circuit  408 , a sound system  409 , and a loudspeaker  410 . It should be noted that the CPU  401 , the RAM  402 , the storage unit  403 , the communication unit  404 , the tone generator circuit  405 , the effector circuit  408 , the sound system  409 , and the loudspeaker  410  are the same in function as those shown in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the descriptions of these components will be skipped herein. However, it should be noted that the storage unit  403  stores the evaluation program to be executed by the CPU  401 . This evaluation program provides the evaluator with the performance parameters of the sample music data and the parameters of the original music data as the data for evaluating user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   The display unit  406  comprises a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and a liquid crystal display panel for example, and displays various images under the control of the CPU  401 . To be more specific, the display unit  406  displays in graph the change in performance parameters from the start of a music performance to its end based on the sample music data created for a particular piece of music and the original music data of that piece of music. Visually checking this change, the evaluator executes comparison between the change in the performance parameters of the sample music data and the change in performance parameters of the original music data, thereby evaluating user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   &lt;B: Operation of Embodiment&gt; 
   The following describes the operation of the present embodiment with reference to  FIG. 9 . In what follows, the operation will be described on focus of the transfer of data between the performance processing apparatus  23  and the data management apparatus  30  and the operation on focus of the transfer of data between the data management apparatus  30  and the evaluation apparatus  40 . It should be noted that, in a configuration with a plurality of the performance processing apparatuses  23  and a plurality of the evaluation apparatuses  40  arranged, the data management apparatus  30  executes the following operation between each performance processing apparatus  23  and each evaluation apparatus  40 . 
   &lt;B-1: Operation Between the Performance Processing Apparatus  23  and the Data Management Apparatus  30 &gt; 
   First, when the user executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  234 , the performance processing apparatus  23  is connected to the data management apparatus  30  via the communication network  10 . When the user executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  234  in this state to select a desired piece of music, the CPU  231  of the performance processing apparatus  23  transmits an original music data request to the data management apparatus  30  (step S 10 ). This original music data request, a command for requesting the data management apparatus  30  for the original music data, includes the specification of the piece of music selected by the user. 
   Receiving the original music data request, the CPU  301  of the data management apparatus  30  reads the original music data of the music specified in this request from the storage unit  303  and transmits the retrieved original music data to the performance processing apparatus  23  (step S 11 ). The CPU  231  of the performance processing apparatus  23  stores the received original music data into the storage unit  233 . 
   Then, when the user executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  234  to command the start of performing music, the CPU  231  loads the performance processing programs from the storage unit  233  into the RAM  232  and sequentially executes these programs (step S 12 ). When the programs are executed, the performance processing based on the original music data specified by the user is executed. On the other hand, a plurality of users having their different controls  21  turn on the power to the controls  21  and then swing or shake the controls  21  as desired along with the performance presented by the performance processing apparatus  23 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of the performance processing (step S 12 ) by the CPU  231 . The CPU  231  executes each processing shown in the figure for one or more parts allocated to each control  21 . Namely, the CPU  231  identifies the control  21  from which the action information concerned has been received on the basis of the identification information received from the control  21  along with the action information, and executes the processing shown in the figure for the one or more parts allocated to that control  21 . In what follows, one or more part data, among all the part data constituting the original music data, are sometimes expressed especially as “target part data.” 
   First, receiving the action information indicative of the accelerations (αx, αy, and αz) of a particular control  21 , the CPU  231  analyzes the contents of the action done by the user of this control  21  on the basis of the action information (S 121 ). To be more specific, the CPU  231  first obtains the absolute value |α| of the accelerations applied to the control  21 . And, for example, if x-axis acceleration αx and y-axis acceleration αy are greater than z-axis acceleration αz and x-axis acceleration αx is greater than y-axis acceleration αy, then the CPU  231  determines that the user is executing “vertical cutting action” in which the user is shaking the control  21  in generally the perpendicular direction; if y-axis acceleration αy is greater than x-axis acceleration αx, then the CPU  231  determines that the user is executing “horizontal cutting action” in which the user shaking the control  21  in generally the horizontal direction; and if z-axis acceleration αz is greater than x-axis acceleration αx and y-axis acceleration αy, then the CPU  231  determines that the user is executing “pushing action” in which the user is pushing the control  21  forward and backward. 
   Next, on the basis of the analysis result in step S 121 , the CPU  231  changes the performance parameters for the target part data read from the storage unit  233  (step S 122 ). Further, the CPU  231  tells the tone with the performance parameter changed to the tone generator circuit  237  or the effector circuit  238  (step S 123 ) and stores the part data indicative of the music after parameter change into the storage unit  233  as one portion of the sample music data (step S 124 ). The following describes the performance parameter change processing in step S 122  by use of a specific example. 
   First, in accordance with the absolute value |α| of the acceleration obtained in step S 121 , the CPU  231  changes the velocity (namely, the volume of this part) of the event included in the note-on event of the target part data. For example, as the absolute value |α| of the acceleration increases, the CPU  231  increases the velocity and, as the absolute value |α| of the acceleration decrease, the CPU  231  decreases the velocity. If the CPU  231  determines that the user is executing “horizontal cutting action” with the control  21 , the CPU  231  changes the delta time (namely, the tempo of this part) of the target part data in accordance with the period of this action. For example, as the period of “horizontal cutting action” increases, the CPU  231  increases the delta time in order to lower the tempo and, as the period decreases, the CPU  231  decreases the delta time in order to quicken the tempo. If the CPU  231  determines that the user is executing “vertical cutting action” with the control  21 , the CPU  231  changes the note number (namely, the pitch of the part) of the note-on event included in the target part data in accordance with the period of this action. For example, as the period of “vertical cutting action” increases, the CPU  231  changes the note number to a greater one (a higher pitch) and, as this period decreases, the CPU  231  changes the note number to a smaller one. 
   As a result of the execution of the processing shown in  FIG. 10  for all parts constituting the music piece, a tone represented in accordance with the performance parameter of the original music data and changed in accordance with action of the user is outputted from the loudspeaker  252 . At the same time, the sample music data made up of the part data with the performance parameters of the original music data changed in accordance with the user&#39;s action are created and stored in the storage unit  233 . Subsequently, the user of the performance processing apparatus  23  operates the input unit  234  to enter the names of the users having these controls  21  and the name of the group to which these users belong. The data indicative of these items (hereafter referred to as “user data”) are stored in the storage unit  233  as related with the sample music data. 
   On the other hand, triggered by the predetermined operation done by the user through the input unit  234 , the CPU  231  of the performance processing apparatus  23  transmits the sample music data and the user data related thereto from the storage unit  233  to the data management apparatus  30  (step S 13  in  FIG. 9 ). Receiving these data, the CPU  301  of the data management apparatus  30  stores the sample music data into the storage unit  303  and updates or newly creates records of the performance contents table on the basis of the user data (step S 14 ). 
   &lt;B-2: Operation Between the Data Management Apparatus  30  and the Evaluation Apparatus  40 &gt; 
   The following describes the operation with attention paid to the data transfer between the data management apparatus  30  and the evaluation apparatus  40 . 
   First, when the user executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  404 , the evaluation apparatus  40  is connected to the data management apparatus  30 . When the user selects a target of evaluation in this state, the CPU  401  of the evaluation apparatus  40  transmits a sample music data request to the data management apparatus  30  (step S 20 ). This sample music data request, a command for requesting the data management apparatus  30  for the sample music data, includes the user specification selected by the evaluator. 
   Receiving the sample music data request, the CPU  301  of the data management apparatus  30  references the performance contents table stored in the storage unit  303  to identify one or more sample music data generated by the group to which the user specified in this request belongs. Then, the CPU  301  reads the identified sample music data along with the original music data common in music piece from the storage unit  303 , and transmits these data to the evaluation apparatus  40  (step S 21 ). These sample music data and the original music data are received by the CPU  401  of the evaluation apparatus  40  and stored in the storage unit  403 . 
   Then, on the basis of the sample music data and the original music data stored in the storage unit  403 , the CPU  401  of the evaluation apparatus  40  executes processing for providing the evaluator with the data for evaluating the action-associated functions of the user (step S 22 ). To be more specific, the CPU  401  displays the change in the performance parameters from the start to the end of music performance based on the sample music data and the original music data onto the display unit  406  in a graphic manner or outputs the tones based on the sample music data from the loudspeaker  410 . 
   (1) Graphic Representation of Performance Parameters 
   When the evaluator executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  404  to command the graphic representation of the performance parameters, the CPU  401  displays a mental and physical function evaluation screen shown in  FIG. 11  onto the display unit  406 . This screen is provided for each of the users in a group who executed performance by use of the performance processing apparatus  23 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a mental and physical function evaluation screen prepared for “User Ua1” belonging to “Group Ga”. In this example, it is assumed that only one piece of sample music data is obtained for the user to be evaluated, namely the user&#39;s performance made by use of the performance processing apparatus  23  was executed only once in the past. 
   This mental and physical function evaluation screen includes graphs indicative of the performance parameters (tempo, volume, and pitch in this example) associated with a part performed by the user, among the sample music data and the original music data. To be more specific, in the graphs indicative of tempo, volume, and pitch, the changes in the tempo, volume, and pitch of the original music data are represented each with a dashed line, while the changes in the tempo, volume, and pitch of the sample music data are represented each with a solid line. 
   Referencing this graph representation, the evaluator evaluates the mental and physical functions of the user. For example, the tempo graph shown in  FIG. 11  shows that, while there is found an approximate match between the tempo of the original music data and the tempo of the sample music data immediately after the start of the performance of music, the difference therebetween increases as the performance of music progresses. As described above, the tempo of the sample music data is determined in accordance with the period of “horizontal cutting action,” so that the evaluator may evaluate that the user (User Ua1) in this graph representation is not enough in the recovery of the horizontal movement function and endurance. Conversely, if there is found an approximate match between the tempo of the original music data and the tempo of the sample music data all over a time from the start to the end of the performance of music, the evaluator may evaluate that the user is fully recovered in the horizontal movement function and endurance. As for the volume determined in accordance with the absolute value of acceleration |α| and the pitch determined in accordance with “vertical cutting action,” the evaluator may evaluate the user&#39;s mental and physical functions in the same manner as above. 
   On the other hand, if a plurality of pieces of sample music data are received from the data management apparatus  30  for the user to be evaluated, namely, if this user executed several performance actions for the same piece of music by use of the performance processing apparatus  23 , a graph shown in  FIG. 12  is displayed. It should be noted that  FIG. 12  displays only the graph of the tempo; actually, the graphs for the plurality of performance parameters as shown in  FIG. 11  are displayed. 
   The graph in  FIG. 12  shows the change in the tempo of the original music data and the tempo change for each of the plurality of sessions of the sample music data. By referencing this graph display, the evaluator may not only evaluate the mental and physical functions based on one performance session, but also evaluate the transition of the time-dependent mental and physical functions based on two or more performance sessions. To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 12 , at the first performance session, the deviation in tempo increases in the early stage of music performance, but, as the music performance advances from the second session to the third session, the deviation in tempo decreases. By referencing this graph display, the evaluator may evaluate that the mental and physical functions for carrying out “horizontal cutting action” for the tempo are gradually recovering. 
   (2) Outputting Tones 
   When the evaluator executes a predetermined operation through the input unit to command the outputting of tones on the basis of the sample music data (if there are two or more pieces of the sample music data, any one of them), the CPU  401  sequentially outputs the events of the sample music data stored in the storage unit  403  to the tone generator circuit  407  or the effector circuit  408  in a specified timed relation. As a result, the tone indicated by the sample music data is outputted from the loudspeaker  410 . Listening to this tone, the evaluator determines whether the tempo, volume, and pitch of the tone sounds natural as compared with the music indicated by the original music data. If there is any unnatural performance parameter, the evaluator evaluates that the user is deficit of the function for performing the action corresponding to the unnatural performance parameter. For example, if the tempo of the music sounded from the loudspeaker  410  gradually delays as the music progresses, the evaluator evaluates that the user lacks the function for “horizontal cutting action” corresponding to the tempo. 
   When the evaluator executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  404  after the evaluation as above, the CPU  401  of the evaluation apparatus  40  executes the processing for editing the original music data (step S 23  in  FIG. 9 ). In this editing processing, the music data to be used by the user for performance actions are generated by changing any of the performance parameters of the original music data on the basis of the results of the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions. For example, for the user determined to be not enough in the function for carrying out “horizontal cutting action” corresponding to the tempo, the evaluator may newly generate the music data in which a tempo slower than that of the original music data is set. The new music data may be generated by displaying the performance parameters of the original music data onto he display unit  406  and editing the contents (or values) of each performance parameter in accordance with the operation done through the input unit  404 . 
   After generating the new music data as described above, the evaluator executes a predetermined operation through the input unit  404  to command the evaluation apparatus  40  for transmitting the newly generated music data to the data management apparatus  30 . Detecting this operation, the CPU  401  transmits the newly generated music data to the data management apparatus  30  (step S 24 ). The newly generated music data are received by the CPU  301  of the data management apparatus  30  and stored in the storage unit  303  as the new original music data (step S 25 ). Then, when the original music data are requested by the already evaluated group, the original music data stored in step S 25 , namely the original music data edited by the evaluator, are transmitted to the performance processing apparatus  23  (step S 10 ). 
   As described, in the present embodiment, the sample music data with the performance parameters of the original music data altered in accordance with the action done by the user are generated, so that the sample music data thus generated may be used as the quantitative data for evaluating the mental and physical functions of the user. Therefore, the objectivity of the evaluation associated with the mental and physical functions of the user may be enhanced. 
   If a facility dedicated to the gathering of physiological data such as muscle strength, respiratory rate, and electroencephalography, the user becomes aware of being diagnosed or rehabilitated for mental and physical functions, thereby sometimes increasing his mental bourdon for the worse. However, according to the present embodiment, the sample music data are generated by user&#39;s enjoyment of performance actions, so that the data for evaluating user&#39;s mental and physical functions may be obtained in an objective manner without making the user aware of being diagnosed or rehabilitated for his mental and physical functions. 
   Moreover, in the present embodiment, the sample music data having the contents reflecting the user&#39;s actions are transmitted to the evaluation apparatus  40 , so that there is no need for both the evaluator and the user to have a face-to-face interaction in carrying out the evaluation of mental and physical functions. Namely, the evaluator need not actually visit the user or vice versa. Consequently, the present embodiment mitigates the work loads of both the evaluator and the user and therefore increases the opportunity for the user to be evaluated for his mental and physical functions. For example, the user geographically remote from the evaluator may get the evaluation of mental and physical functions. 
   &lt;C: Variations&gt; 
   While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. For example, the following variations are possible. 
   &lt;C-1: Variation 1&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment, in order for the evaluator to evaluate the mental and physical functions of the user, the change in performance parameters is displayed in graphs on the basis of the original music data and the sample music data and tones are generated on the basis of the sample music data. The method of providing the sample music data and the original music data for the evaluation by the evaluator is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the integrated values of the differences between the performance parameters of the sample music data and the performance parameters of the original music data or the deviations therebetween may be displayed as numeric values. Namely, “provision of the sample music data (or the sample music data and the original music data) for the evaluation of the mental and physical functions of the user” denotes “outputting of the sample music data to the evaluator such that the evaluator referencing the performance parameters of the sample music data may evaluate the mental and physical functions of the user.” 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment, both the sample music data and the original music data are provided for the evaluation of mental and physical functions. Alternatively, only the sample music data alone may be provided for the evaluation of mental and physical functions. Namely, the original music data common in music with the sample music data are not always required for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions. For example, if displaying the change in performance parameters of the sample music data or outputting a tone from the loudspeaker  410  on the basis of the sample music data result in a slower tempo halfway in the music, it may indicate that the user&#39;s function corresponding to the tempo is not fully operating without requiring to draw a comparison with the performance parameters of the original music data. 
   However, in order to obtain a more objective and reliable evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions, it is preferable to draw a comparison between the performance parameters of the original music data and those of the sample music data. From this point of view, not only the sample music data but also the original music data that are common in music with the sample music data are preferably transmitted to the evaluation apparatus  40  to be provided for the evaluation of mental and physical functions based on the comparison between the performance parameters of both the music data. 
   &lt;C-2: Variation 2&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variation thereto, the sample music data are generated by reflecting the action of the user onto the tempo, volume, and pitch of music. The performance parameters (namely, the elements on which the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions is based) to which the action of the user is to be reflected are not always these three at a time. For example, the action of the user may be reflected to at least one of tempo, volume, and pitch. Alternatively, the action of the user may be reflected to the degree of an effect to be imparted to a tone (for example, the depth of reverberation), a timbre, or other performance parameters. Namely, the performance parameters to be reflected to the contents of the sample music data herein may be any that is quantitatively indicative of user&#39;s mental and physical functions. 
   &lt;C-3: Variation 3&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the control  21  which is manually held by the user is used. The form of the control  21  is not necessarily restricted to this type. For example, a control in which the sensor  213  is installed at the heel of a shoe worn by the user may be used as the control  21 . In this configuration, the performance parameters are controlled in accordance with the action information obtained when the user treads or tap-dances. 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the performance parameters are controlled in accordance with the contents of user&#39;s action. Instead of this or with the contents of user&#39;s action, the performance parameters may be controlled in accordance with the physiological conditions of the user. For example, a pulsation (or pulse wave) detector may be arranged on the control  21  which is wearable on the user to control the performance parameters on the basis of the action information representative of the detection result of pulsation. For the physiological conditions of the user available for performance parameter control, such indexes as body temperature, blood pressure, electroencephalography, respiratory rate, and ocular movement may be mentioned, in addition to pulsation. 
   As described, the element for determining the performance parameters of the sample music data may be at least one of (or both of) the user&#39;s action and the user&#39;s physiological condition. The “mental and physical functions” to be evaluated on the basis of the sample music data are a concept which includes such action-associated functions of the autonomic nerve system as the adjustment of body temperature and blood pressure, in addition to the physical action-associated functions for moving arms, legs and other body parts and the mental action-associated functions. 
   &lt;C-4: Variation 4&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the performance processing apparatus  23  carries out the performance processing by use of the original music data supplied by the data management apparatus  30 . Alternatively, the original music data for use in the performance processing may be one stored in the storage unit  233  of the performance processing apparatus  23  in advance. For example, the original music data retrieved from portable recording media such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) may be used for the performance processing by the performance processing apparatus  23 . 
   &lt;C-5: Variation 5&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the performance processing system  20  has a plurality of controls  21 . Alternatively, the performance processing system  20  may have only one control  21  in which the action of only one user is reflected onto the sample music data. However, if a plurality of controls  21  are used as with the above-mentioned embodiment, the data for evaluating the mental and physical functions of a plurality of users may be obtained by a single performance processing operation, thereby making the above-mentioned embodiment advantageous in the accumulation of the data with higher efficiency. 
   &lt;C-6: Variation 6&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the data management apparatus  30  and the evaluation apparatus  40  are arranged in a separate manner. It will be apparent that the evaluation apparatus  40  may be functionally arranged in the data management apparatus  30  (or vice versa). Namely, the data management apparatus  30  may have both the function (1) for storing the sample music data supplied from the performance processing system  20  as the data to be provided for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions and the function (2) for providing the sample music data for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the basis of the performance parameters of the sample music data. This configuration requires the arrangement of a display unit or a tone output unit (namely, a loudspeaker) for providing the sample music data for the evaluation of user&#39;s mental and physical functions on the data management apparatus  30 . It will also be apparent that the data management apparatus  30  may also carry out the processing of generating the original music data by the evaluator. 
   &lt;C-7: Variation 7&gt; 
   A display unit for displaying particular images when the user executes a performance action may be arranged on the performance processing apparatus shown in the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto. The images to be displayed on this display unit may include prepared images and the image of the user himself who is carrying out a performance action, for example. The images to be displayed on this display unit may be appropriately changed in accordance with the actions and physiological conditions of the user. The configuration allows the user to further enjoy his performance actions, thereby making him less aware of being diagnosed or rehabilitated for the more objective evaluation of his mental and physical functions. 
   &lt;C-8: Variation 8&gt; 
   In the above-mentioned embodiment and the variations thereto, the data are transferred between the performance processing apparatus  23 , the data management apparatus  30 , and the evaluation apparatus  40  via the communication network  10 . The method the data transfer between these apparatuses is not restricted to the above-mentioned configuration. For example, the data management apparatus  30  may receive the sample music data directly from performance processing apparatus  23  (namely, without using any intervening relay apparatus). This holds true with the data transfer between the data management apparatus  30  and the evaluation apparatus  40 . The communication between these apparatuses may be carried out in not only a wired manner, but also in a wireless manner. 
   As described and according to the invention, the quantitative data for evaluating user&#39;s mental and physical functions may be gathered and provided for this evaluation. 
   The entire content of Priority Document No. 2002-250727 is incorporated herein by reference.