Patent Publication Number: US-10332494-B2

Title: Electronic music box

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/633,866 filed Jun. 27, 2017, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/160,132 filed May 20, 2016, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/318,646 filed Jun. 29, 2014, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/088,362 filed Apr. 17, 2011, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an electronic music box. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In this field of the art, various attempts have been done with respect to an electronic music box. 
     For example, Japanese Publication No. 2003-311034 proposes a baby bedside mobile combined with an electronic music box. On the other hand, Japanese Publication No. 1996-328555 proposes a music play controlling apparatus in which 1/f fluctuation is introduced into electronically generated sound. Further, Japanese Publication No. 1993-73052 proposes a music sound modulating apparatus in which a fluctuation of band and amplitude suitable for string instrument and a fluctuation of band and amplitude suitable for wind instrument are introduced, respectively, for avoiding an unnatural musical sound which would be otherwise caused by introducing a fluctuation of the same band and same amplitude into both string instrument sound and wind instrument sound both electrically generated. 
     However, there still exist in this field of art many demands for improvements of electronic music boxes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention provides an electronic music box comfortable to listen to. 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention provides an electronic music box suitable to be incorporated into a baby bedside mobile or the like. 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention provides an electronic music box comprising a music data memory arranged to store data of a plurality of pieces of music, a random table memory arranged to store a random table, and a controller arranged to automatically determine the next piece of music to be played in accordance with the random table in the random table memory. According to the feature of the embodiment, painful circulation of a limited number of short pieces of music in the patterned and remembered same order is eased. 
     In a detailed design according to the above preferred embodiment, the music data memory includes pieces of music within a group and other pieces of music outside the group. And, the controller is arranged to automatically determine the next piece of music to be played among the pieces of music within the group. 
     According to a more detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to automatically determine a piece for inclusion into the group in accordance with the random table in the random table memory. This is advantageous to avoid a patterned or remembered substitution of piece. 
     According to another more detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to automatically determine a piece for exclusion from the group in accordance with the number of played times of the piece. This is advantageous to automatically remove a too frequently played piece out of the group for avoiding a boring repetition of the same piece. 
     According to another detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to weight a predetermined piece in determining the next piece of music to be played, whereby the weighted piece has a chance of more frequently played than the others. This is advantageous to playing a favorite piece within the group. 
     According to still another detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to have a capability of playing the next piece with a tempo similar to that of a preceding piece. This is especially advantageous in the case that the electronic music box is used for cradling a baby. In more detail, such a condition that the series of pieces are played in the similar tempo for a considerably sufficient time period according to the above feature is more suitable in a case that a mother is sending a baby to sleep in her arms with the baby cradled in synchronism with the music box pieces, rather than a condition that the tempo or meter changed piece by piece in every short period as in an ordinary music box. 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention also provides an electronic music box comprising a music data memory arranged to store data of a plurality of pieces of music, the stored pieces of music including pieces of music within a group and other pieces of music outside the group, and a controller arranged to automatically determine the next piece of music to be played among the pieces of music within the group. This feature is both advantageous in getting familiar with the limited number of pieces in the group and in avoiding an excessive monotony by means of making a substitution of pieces in the group possible. 
     In a detailed design according to the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to automatically determine the piece to be excluded from the group in accordance with the number of played times of the piece. This is advantageous to automatically remove a too frequently played piece out of the group for avoiding a boring repetition of the same piece. 
     According to another detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to weight a predetermined piece among the pieces within the group in determining a piece to be excluded from the group, whereby the weighted piece has a less chance of being excluded than the others. This is advantageous to keep a favorite or newly included piece in the group in longer time than the other pieces. 
     According to still another detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to weight a predetermined piece among the pieces outside the group in determining a piece to be included into the group, whereby the weighted piece has a priority of being included to the others. This is advantageous to include a piece newly downloaded from an outside server into the group prior to the other pieces outside the group, for example. 
     According to a further detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to automatically determine the piece to be excluded from the group with discrimination between pieces. An example of the discrimination is by the number of played times of the piece. This is advantageous to remove a too frequently played piece out of the group in higher priority for avoiding a boring repetition of the same piece. 
     Another example of the discrimination is an exception to a predetermined piece not to be determined for exclusion. This is advantageous to prevent a favorite piece from being excluded from the group, for example. 
     Still another example of the discrimination is between a piece newly included into the group and other older pieces in the group. This is advantageous to exclude other older pieces from the group prior to excluding the newly included piece in the group. 
     According to still another detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the electronic music box further comprises a communicator arranged to receive data of a piece of music from outside server for storage in the music data memory, wherein the controller is arranged to automatically determine a piece to be included into the group so that a piece received by the communicator to be newly stored in the music data memory is given priority to other older pieces stored in the music data memory. Thus, the newly received piece will have an earlier chance to be played. 
     According to further detailed design of the above preferred embodiment, the controller is arranged to excluded from the group a piece of a tempo different from those of other pieces in the group and to include into the group a piece of a tempo similar to those of other pieces in the group in place of the excluded piece. Thus, the controller can successively play pieces in the group with a similar tempo. This is advantageous for a mother who is sending a baby to sleep in her arms to cradle the baby in synchronism with the music box pieces for a considerably long time. 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention further provides an electronic music box comprising a music data memory arranged to store data of a plurality of pieces of music, and a controller arranged to automatically determine the next piece of music to be played, the controller being arranged to have a capability of playing the next piece with a tempo similar to that of a preceding piece. 
     For example, the controller is arranged to adopt a piece of a tempo similar to that of the preceding piece to serve as the next piece in place of a piece of a tempo different from that of the preceding piece. Thus, the controller is capable of playing the next piece with a tempo similar to that of a preceding piece. 
     In another example, the controller is arranged to modify the tempo of the next piece into a tempo similar to that of the preceding piece. In this manner, the controller is also capable of playing the next piece with a tempo similar to that of a preceding piece. 
     In accordance with a still another example, the controller is arranged to have a first mode of sequentially playing the plurality of different piece one by one and a second mode of repeating the preceding piece as the next piece. In the second mode above, the controller is also capable of playing the next piece with a tempo similar to that of a preceding piece in one of the most simplified manner. 
     Preferred embodiment of this invention still further provides an electronic music box comprising a sequencer, a sound source controlled by the sequencer and music box signal output capable of converting the output from the sound source into sound signal for powering a speaker by way of an amplifier. The electronic music box further comprises a modifying function unit for introducing 1/f fluctuation into the music at one or more of various stages of the music box, such as basic sequencer output, expression modifying data to cause ritardando or tempo rubato, sound attenuating data for chime sound or the like, and volume of final sound signal. 
     Other features, elements, arrangements, steps, characteristics and advantages according to this invention will be readily understood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     The above description should not be deemed to limit the scope of this invention, which should be properly determined on the basis of the attached claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the electronic music box system according to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the detail of music box signal generator  16  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a basic flowchart showing the function carried out by baby bedside mobile controller  8  of the embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the initial start-up and setting process of step S 2  in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the function carried out by signal generation controller  88  in music box signal generator  16  in  FIG. 2   
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the ritardando modification process of step S 96  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the tempo rubato modification process of step S 98  in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the electronic music box system according to an embodiment of this invention. The system includes baby bedside mobile  2  with electronic music box function, cellular phone  4  and music data server  6 . Baby bedside mobile  2  is controlled by baby bedside mobile controller  8  having a micro computer. Memory  10  stores computer programs for the operation of baby bedside mobile controller  8  and also various data relating to the control of baby bedside mobile  2 . Baby bedside mobile  2  includes a set of mobile elements  12  which is supported by rail of the baby bed to be hanged over the head of a baby in bed. Baby bedside mobile  2  is arranged to rotate the set of mobile elements  12  and to operate music box in conjugation with the rotation of the set of mobile elements  12 . 
     Operation portion  14  is provided to be manually operated for various purposes such as turning on and off baby bedside mobile  2 , adjusting the volume of music box, selecting music, receiving music data and sampling sound, the detail of the music selection being to be explained late in more detail. If baby bedside mobile  2  is turned on by means of operating portion  14 , baby bedside mobile controller  8  have the set of mobile elements  12  start to rotate, and music box signal generator  16  start to generate a predetermined music box signal, which is transmitted to amplifier  18  to cause music sound from speaker  20 . 
     Upon generation of music box signal, every timing of the generated tones of note in the music are modified one by one to slightly fluctuate in accordance with 1/f fluctuation data sequentially outputted from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22 . The starting point of the sequence of 1/f fluctuation data is differently determined every time at random in accordance with random table outputted from random table memory  24 . Thus, the artificiality of electronically generated music or painful repetition of the patterned same short music is eased to provide a baby with a pleasant musical environment. The arrangement for achieving the modification according to 1/f fluctuation will be explained later in more detail. 
     A plurality of pieces of music data are stored in music data memory  26 , baby bedside mobile controller  8  reading out the pieces one by one in a random order determined by random table memory  24  and transmitting the music data of the read piece to music box signal generator  16 . Thus, painful circulation of a limited number of short pieces of music in the patterned and remembered same order is eased. The random number is outputted from random table memory  24  by means of specifying addresses of random table memory  24  one by one in a predetermined sequential order. Since the random numbers are assigned to the addresses, respectively, according to a random table, the output of random table memory  24  gotten in the above manner comes to random table. The series of numbers are indeed to be repeated in the same order if the specified address is back where it started, which means that the output of random table memory  24  is not a true random table with the repetition taken into consideration. However, the size of the random table is sufficiently so large that a human being cannot remember the order of the numbers to recognize the pattern of repetition, which means that the output of random table memory  24  is substantially a random number for a human being. The arrangement for changing the order of pieces according to the random table will be explained later in more detail. 
     The data of a piece of music provided to music box signal generator  16  includes information of tune and timing for generating each tone in the music. Four tones of notes of the music are able to be simultaneously generated in maximum, as a chord for example, form music box signal generator  16  in accordance with the data transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8 . As will be explained later, the tone generated from music box signal generator  16  is of an attenuating nature, such as sound of a chime, a piano and a picked string instrument. Therefore, the data of the piece of music provided to music box signal generator  16  does not include information of length of each tone in the music. Further, since a tone once generated is not muted in the course of the attenuation, the tail of the former tone may naturally overlap the head of a new tone which is successively generated with short interval. 
     However, upon generation of the tone of the attenuating nature from music box signal generator  16 , the attenuation of each tone is modified one by one to fluctuate in accordance with 1/f fluctuation data sequentially outputted from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22 . Thus, the degree and manner of attenuation of each tone slightly changes one by one. The data of a piece of music provided to music box signal generator  16  does not include any detailed information of expression of the music, such as tempo rubato or ritardando, but includes mere mechanical information of tune and timing for generating each tone or event in the music, which reduce the capacity or amount of data. By way of compensation, music box signal generator  16  automatically carries out detailed expression of the music, such as tempo rubato or ritardando, by means of adding a series of automatic delay in response to simple information of timing to start the tempo rubato or ritardando, which is included in the data of a piece of music provided to music box signal generator  16 . The automatic delay is also modified one by one to fluctuate in accordance with 1/f fluctuation data sequentially outputted from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22  to avoid a crude expression caused by stereotype tempo rubato or ritardando. The volume of music generated by music box signal generator  16  is further modified to fluctuate in accordance with 1/f fluctuation data sequentially outputted from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22 . The various modifications by means of 1/f fluctuation data will be explained later in more detail. 
     The plurality of pieces of music stored in music data memory  26  can be substituted within the capacity of memory. The introduction of new piece data from an outside source is possible by means of baby bedside mobile short-range communicator  28 . For example, cellar phone  4  is capable of downloading a new piece of music from music data server  6  through internet  30 , the downloaded new piece data being then transmitted to baby bedside mobile  2  for storage in music data memory  26 . 
     An addition of new piece of music to music data memory  26  is also possible by means of sampling hum or the like through sampler with microphone  32 . In more detail, the sound data gotten by sampler  34  is introduced into pitch/timing extractor and automatic arranger  36 , in which pitch and timing of start or change in tone consisting the hum or the like is extracted. Upon the extraction, a tone with a pitch out of a standard chromatic scale or timing out of a standard beat automatically corrected into the closest note on the standard chromatic scale and the standard beat in unit of a halftone and a sixteenth note. In the case that pitch and/or timing of tones are continuously unstable in a considerable degree, it is judged that the hum or the like is not sung in accordance with the intention of the singer. In this case, accordingly, a group of tones of questionable melody line or beat or meter is automatically corrected in unit of the group. If the series of tones of the extracted pitch/timing with correction made if necessary is a monophony, pitch/timing extractor and automatic arranger  36  automatically analyses chords suitable to the monophony to add a predetermined simple accompaniment thereto. The above automatic correction of tone or a group of tones and automatic addition of the accompaniment is referred to as “automatic arrangement”. 
     Cellar phone controller  38  having a micro computer is for functioning in accordance with computer program stored in memory  42  to originally and mainly control the entire cellar phone  4  by means of phone function block  40 . Operation portion  44  and display  46  are also originally and mainly arranged for the functions of cellar phone  4  carried out by phone function block  40 . Operation portion  44  is, however, advantageously utilized for operating cellar phone  4  to download the music data and to transmit the downloaded music data to baby bedside mobile  2  by means of cellular phone short-range communicator  45 . Also, display  46  is advantageously utilized for displaying necessary information in conjugation with the operation at operating portion  44 . Cellular phone short-range communicator  45  and baby bedside mobile short-range communicator  28  are based on the infrared light communication system or short-range radio transmission system. Thus, cellar phone  4  is incorporated into the electronic music box system. 
     As has been apparent from the above explanation, phone function block  40  of cellar phone  4  is capable of communicating with music server  6  by way of internet  30 . Music server  6  including server controller  48 , music database  50  and input/output interface  52  serves as a portal site capable of providing various free information under management of a collaborated baby goods industry. The portal site may also be in cooperation with a public healthcare and medial organization for mother-child health administration. If a suitable registration is made in music data server  6  with an identification number (ID) and a password, the music data can be delivered from music data server in accordance with terms and conditions recited in a contract upon purchase of baby bedside mobile  2 . Further, in the case of the above mentioned cooperation of music data server  6  with a public healthcare and medial organization, if cellar phone  4  logins with the ID and password to upload under anonymity the new growth and healthcare data for a baby, music data server  6  provides cellar phone  4  with the newest statistical growth and healthcare data created on the basis of data uploaded under the same condition from a great number of cellar phones including cellar phone  4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the detail of music box signal generator  16  in  FIG. 1  with some relating outside blocks also shown, in which the same identification number is given to common block in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  with explanation of the common block omitted in  FIG. 2  as long as long as unnecessary. Music box signal generator  16  is basically arranged to sequentially (and simultaneously in the case of chord or polyphony) generate music box signal on the basis of sound source  54  at a suitable pitch and timing directed by a sequencer. The sequencer includes basic sequencer  56  for generating basic pitch/timing signal to specify a pitch of sound source  54  at a correct timing in accordance with a piece of music data transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8 . The sequencer further includes 1/f fluctuation delay  58  for introducing a delay with 1/f fluctuation to the timing of the basic pitch/timing signal generated from basic sequencer  56 . The sequencer still further includes modification sequencer  60  for modifying the 1/f fluctuation delayed pitch/timing signal coming from 1/f fluctuation delay  58  to add expression to the music upon necessity. The sequencer also includes 1/f fluctuation ritardando section  62  and 1/f fluctuation tempo rubato section  64  for carry out the addition of expression in cooperation with modification sequencer  60 . 
     Upon generation of the basic pitch/timing signal by basic sequencer  56 , the 1/f fluctuation data is loaded from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22  to 1/f fluctuation data register  66  prior to the start of generation of the basic pitch/timing signal by basic sequencer  56 . 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  sequentially outputs 1/f fluctuation data by means of sequentially addressing 1/f fluctuation data register  66  in synchronism with the basic pitch/timing signal from basic sequencer  56 . In the above function, the first address of 1/f fluctuation data memory  22  to be specified by 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  is determined by the random number given by random table memory  24 . If the sequential addressing reaches the last address, the addressing returns to the first address to go in cycles, 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  thus continuing to output 1/f fluctuation data as long as the basic pitch/timing signal comes from basic sequencer  56 . The data outputted from 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  in the manner described above may not be a true 1/f fluctuation data since it has the cyclic regularity. However, 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  can be considered to substantially outputs 1/f fluctuation data because the size of data outputted in series during one cycle is so large that a human being can never remember the order of the fluctuation or perceive its regularity. Further, by means of changing the starting point of the sequence of 1/f fluctuation data every time in accordance with random table, the pattern of 1/f fluctuation at the beginning portion of the sequence of 1/f fluctuation data, which would attract the attention and otherwise repeatedly started from the same point, is avoided to be learned. 
     1/f fluctuation delay  58  introduces 1/f fluctuation into the timing of the basic pitch/timing signal generated from basic sequencer  56  in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68 . In other words, the basic pitch/timing signal passes through 1/f fluctuation delay  58  with its timing differently delayed depending on the 1/f fluctuation data coming from 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  when the basic pitch/timing signal arrives at 1/f fluctuation delay  58 . The pitch/timing signal thus delayed is transmitted from 1/f fluctuation delay  58  to modification sequencer  60 . Modification sequencer  60  is normally directs pitch and timing of music box signal to be generated by sound source  54  in accordance with the delayed pitch/timing signal transmitted from 1/f fluctuation delay  58  unless no direction comes from 1/f fluctuation ritardando section  62  and 1/f fluctuation tempo rubato section  64 . 
     On the other hand, if the data of a piece transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8  includes data for starting retardando at the ending portion of the piece, basic sequencer  56  sends basic pitch/timing signal succeeding the timing of the starting point for retardando to 1/f fluctuation ritardando section  62 , in which a gradually growing delays according to data in retardando data holder  70  are successively introduced to the pitch/timing signal transmitted from modification sequencer  60  for adding ending expression. During the retardando, 1/f fluctuation ritardando section  62  further introduces 1/f fluctuation into the retardando timing of the pitch/timing signal in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68 . The pitch/timing signal with the retardando and 1/f fluctuation introduced is sequentially retuned to modification sequencer  60  to direct pitch and timing of music box signal to be generated by sound source  54 . In the case of retardando above, 1/f fluctuation ritardando section  62  continued to introduce the retardando delay till the end of the piece. 
     On the contrary, if the data of a piece transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8  includes data for starting and ending tempo rubato in midstream of the piece, basic sequencer  56  sends basic pitch/timing signal succeeding the timing of the starting point for tempo rubato to 1/f fluctuation tempo rubato section  64 , in which forward or backward deviations from in-tempo timings according to data in rubato data holder  72  are successively introduced one by one to the pitch/timing signal transmitted from modification sequencer  60  for adding tempo rubato expression to the piece. During the tempo rubato, 1/f fluctuation tempo rubato section  64  further introduces 1/f fluctuation into the deviated timing of the pitch/timing signal in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68 . The pitch/timing signal with the tempo rubato and 1/f fluctuation introduced is sequentially retuned to modification sequencer  60  to direct pitch and timing of music box signal to be generated by sound source  54 . In the case of tempo rubato above, modification sequencer  60  returns from the control with 1/f fluctuation tempo rubato section  64  to the normal control at the end of the tempo rubato according to the data from rubato data holder  72 . 
     Sound source  54  includes music box sound source data holder  74  keeping music box sound source data in 3-octave of twelve-tone scale and attenuation data holder  76  keeping attenuation data to realize music box sound of an attenuating nature, such as sound of a chime, a piano and a picked string instrument. In response to the direction by modification sequencer  60 , music box sound source data holder  74  outputs music box sound source data of the specified pitch at the specified timing in accordance with a piece of music. The attenuation data kept by attenuation data holder  76  includes transition data representing attenuation of hammered sound or picked string sound to its vanish, which is combined with the music box sound source data in combiner  78  to be outputted as an attenuating music box sound of the specified pitch at the specified timing. During the attenuation, 1/f fluctuation attenuation modifier  80  further modifies the data in attenuation data holder  76  to introduce 1/f fluctuation into the attenuation in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data register  66 . Thus, the attenuating music box sound from combiner  78  is accompanied by 1/f fluctuation. In other words, 1/f fluctuation attenuation modifier  80  mainly influences both on the change in volume of the hammered or picked string sound and speed of the attenuation thereof to avoid uniformity of the hammered or picked string sound and its attenuation. 
     The output form combiner  78  is converted into sound signal by music box signal output  82 , which is in turn to be transmitted to 1/f fluctuation volume modifier  84  to introduce 1/f fluctuation into the volume of the sound signal. In more detail, 1/f fluctuation volume modifier  84  adds 1/f fluctuating change in the volume to the sound signal from music box signal output  82  by means of 1/f fluctuation signal generator  86  which generates time varying signal with 1/f fluctuation in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data register  66 . The 1/f fluctuating change in the volume serves as the musical vibrato of the music box sound. Signal generation controller  88  controls the above mentioned various functions and their cooperation in music box signal generator  16 . 
       FIG. 3  is a basic flowchart showing the function carried out by baby bedside mobile controller  8  of the embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flow being arranged to start in response to the power on operation or setting operation at operating portion  14 , the setting operation including the new music piece downloading operation as will be explained later. If the flow starts, step S 2  comes first to carry out the initial start-up and setting process of baby bedside mobile  2 . If the initial start-up and setting process is over and no further setting operation is done for a predetermined time, e.g., 3 seconds, the flow automatically advances to step S 4 . Thus, the power on operation is followed by a predetermined waiting time for allowing a setting operation since there is a high possibility of setting operation upon the power on operation. However, the flow automatically advances to step S 4  in the predetermined time if there is no further operation, which makes it possible for a user who does not know any manner of operation at all to start the function of baby bedside mobile  2  accompanied by the play of music box by means of a mere power on operation. Step  2  can be reached any time desired to restart the flow of  FIG. 3  by means of a setting operation even in the course of playing of music box. Step S 2  will be explained later in more detail. 
     In step S 4 , it is checked whether or not a new piece has been downloaded. If the download is confirmed in step S 4 , the flow goes to step S 6  to wait the new piece for random play. This is for increasing the frequency for the newly downloaded piece to be played under random selection, the detail of which will be explained later. In next step S 8 , the newly downloaded piece is included into the play group in substitution for the most frequently played piece which is to be excluded from the play group, in which the favorite nominated piece is excepted from the exclusion even if the frequency of play is high, the flow then going to step S 10 . The above mentioned “play group” means a group of pieces consisting of a predetermined number, e.g. five pieces, nominated for play in sequence. As will be explained later in more detail, one of the pieces in the play group is sequentially selected one by one at random. The newly nominated piece into the play group is so waited as to be selected in higher probability under the random selection. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 4  that no new piece has been downloaded, the flow directly goes to step S 10 . 
     In step S 10 , it is checked whether or not the timing for starting to play the next piece in the play group has come. As will be explained later, time count is started after loading the music data for the former piece to know whether or not the playing time for the piece has over. Step S 10  is to check whether a blank intermission time, e.g. 2.5 seconds, has past after the playing time for the former piece was over. If it is determined in step S 10  that the timing for starting the next piece has come, the flow goes to step S 12  to load a random number from random table memory at an address in accordance with the order for play. And, in step S 14 , a piece corresponding to the loaded random number in the play group is outputted to music box signal generator  16 . Further, in step S 16 , the number of times for play of the piece is incremented, and the counting of the playing time for the piece is started, the flow then going to step S 18 . 
     In step S 18 , it is checked whether or not the number of times for play of the piece reaches a predetermined number, e.g., two hundreds, If the predetermined number has been reached, the flow goes from step S 18  to step S 20  to check whether or not the piece is nominated as a favorite. If not, the flow goes to step S 22  to exclude the piece, the number of times for play of which reaches a predetermined number, from the play group. Next in step S 24 , step S 12  a random number is loaded from random table memory at an address in accordance with the order for substitution. And, in step S 26 , a piece corresponding to the loaded random number is selected from pieces off the play group in music data memory  26  as a substitution. Further in step  26 , the selected piece is included into the play group, the flow then going to step S 28 . On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 18  that the number of times for play of the piece reaches a predetermined number, or if it is determined in step S 20  that the piece is nominated as a favorite, the flow directly goes to step S 28 . Further, if it is not determined in step S 20  that the timing for starting the next piece has come, the flow also goes to step S 28  directly. 
     In step S 28 , it is checked whether or not an operation for favorite nomination or cancellation thereof is made. If such an operation is detected in step SS 28 , the flow goes to step S 30  to switch favorite setting between nomination and cancellation as to a specific piece which is being played at that time or has ended to be played with the next piece not started yet, the flow then going to step S 32 . On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 28  that any operation for favorite nomination or cancellation thereof is made, the flow directly goes to step S 32 . In step S 32 , it is checked whether or not the power off operation is made. If not, the flow goes back to step S 4  to repeat the loop of step S 4  to step S 32  to cope with the play of the next piece in the play group, or the inclusion of a new piece into the play group, or substitution of a piece in the play group, or the like. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 32  that the power off operation is made, the flow goes to the end, which stops the play of music box. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the initial start-up and setting process of step S 2  in  FIG. 3 . If the flow starts, step S 42  comes first to carry out the initial start-up and initial check of various functions of baby bedside mobile  2 , the flow then going to step S 44 . In step S 44 , it is checked whether or not the predetermined time period, e.g., 3 seconds as mentioned above, succeeding the completion of step S 42  has been over. If not the flow goes back to step S 46  to check whether or not any operation other than power on operation is made. If no operation is detected in step S 46 , the flow goes back to step S 44  to repeat steps S 44  and S 46  to wait for the predetermined time period. 
     If any operation within the predetermined time period is detected in step S 46 , the flow goes to step S 48  to check whether or not the operation is a changing operation for the weight to be added to the newly downloaded piece. If the setting operation is detected in step S 48 , the flow goes to step S 50  to carry out weight changing process for changing the weight for random number assigned to the new piece. Here, relationships among the random number, a piece to which the random number is assigned, and the weighting of the piece are explained. In a case that a play group consists of evenly weighted five pieces and random numbers of two-digit are prepared for example, twenty numbers of 00 to 19 are assigned to the first piece. In the similar manner, the numbers of 20 to 39 are assigned to the second piece, the numbers of 40 to 59 to the third piece, the numbers of 60 to 79 to the fourth piece, and the numbers of 80 to 99 to the fifth piece, respectively. And one of random numbers 00 to 99 is loaded one by one to select a piece one by one to which the number equal to the loaded random number is assigned. On the contrary, if the new piece is triply weighted for example, forty three numbers of 00 to 42 are assigned to the new piece. In contrast thereto, the fourteen numbers of 43 to 56 are assigned to the old first piece, the fourteen numbers of 57 to 70 to the old second piece, the fourteen numbers of 71 to 84 to the old third piece, and the fifteen numbers of 85 to 99 to the old fourth piece, respectively. Thus, the numbers assigned to the new piece are about three times as many as those assigned to the old pieces so that the new piece is selected with triple probability of that of the old pieces in response to the load of random figure. The assignment of the numbers to each piece is changed to shift piece to piece every time when the substitution of a piece for the play group is carried out to avoid such a case that the same numbers are continued to be assigned to the same piece. The weight for random number changing process in step S 50  is to optionally change in advance the weight to be added to the new piece, for example, double to triple, or quadruple to even, or the like, the changing operation in advance being possible at operation portion  44 . 
     Further in step S 52 , weight for play number of times changing process is carried out. For example, in the case that the threshold of play number of times to remove a piece from the play group for substitution is three hundred, the threshold for the new piece would be nine hundred if the new piece is triply weight as to the play number of times. By means of such a weighting, the new piece will not be removed from the play group for substitution until it will have been played triple number of times in comparison with the old pieces. Thus, the opportunities for new piece to be played are is increased with the removal reprieved. The weight for play number of times changing process in step S 52  is to optionally change in advance the weight to be added to the new piece, the changing operation in advance for step S 52  being also possible at operation portion  44 . If the changing processes in steps S 50  and S 52  are completed, the flow goes to step S 54 . On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 48  that the operation is a changing operation for the weight to be added to the newly downloaded piece, the flow directly goes to step S 54 . 
     In step S 54 , it is checked whether or not an operation for the cradling tempo unification setting is made. According to the embodiment, pieces in the play group are played in sequence determined by the random number, in which there is no limitation to the selection of pieces to be included in the play group for avoiding an excessive monotony. Accordingly, there may ordinary be a case that a waltz piece follows a quadruple tune in Andante. Further, a piece of music box is arranged into a short composition less than one minute. This means that baby bedside mobile  2  normally plays music box pieces in sequence in such a manner that the tempo and meter vary piece to piece in a short period less than one minute. However, in a special case that a mother is sending a baby to sleep in her arms with the baby cradled in synchronism with the music box pieces, the series of pieces are desired to be played in the same tempo for a considerably sufficient time period rather than a case that the tempo or meter of the series of pieces vary in every short period such as one minute or less. The cradling tempo unification setting, the setting or not of which is checked in step S 54  is to be done when the tempo unification is desired is the special case above for example. 
     If the cradling tempo unification setting is detected in step SS 54 , the flow goes to step S 56  to copy and save the normal play group data at the time when the setting is made. Next in step S 58 , any piece which is inadequate to be played in the cradling unification tempo is excluded from the play group to be replaced by another adequate piece of an inherent tempo resembling those of other pieces in the play group. For example, if the majority of pieces are of Andante, an Allegretto piece is replaced by another Andante piece because the inherent Allegretto piece would become spiritless if played in Andante due to the unification. Further in step S 60 , any piece of an inadequate meter for the unification is excluded from the play group to be replaced by another adequate meter. For example, if the majority of pieces are of slow waltz rhythm, a piece of slow compound double meter (6/8 beat) is inadequate to unify it to slow waltz rhythm. In other words, if one beat of the double meter is adjusted to synchronism with one beat of the slow waltz, the inherent meter would be confused. Or, if 1/8 beat is adjusted to synchronism with one beat of the slow waltz, an oddly slow compound double meter piece would result. In such a case, the compound double meter piece is excluded from the play group to be replaced by another adequate slow waltz piece in step S 60 . And, in step S 62 , data modification of the pieces of the resembling tempo and meter in the play group as the result of the substitution in step S 58  and step S 60  is carried out to finally unify the tempo of the pieces existing in the play group into the tempo of cradling, the flow then going to step S 64 . Thus, under the cradling tempo unification setting, the series of pieces in the modified play group are played in the same tempo for a considerably sufficient time period. 
     On the other hand, if is it is not determined in step S 54  that the operation for cradling tempo unification setting is made, the flow advances to step S 66  to adopt the normal play group to go to step S 64 . In the case that the normal play group has been formally copied and saved, the saved normal play group is retrieved to replace the cradling tempo unified play group as the function of step S 66  in response to step S 54  functioning to detect that the former cradling tempo unification setting is cancelled. 
     In step S 64 , it is checked whether or not the operation detected in step  46  corresponds to an operation for downloading new piece is made. In the case that the new piece downloading operation is detected, the flow goes from step S 64  to step S 68  to carry out new piece input process, the flow going to the end in response to the completion of the new piece input process in step S 68 . The termination of the flow of  FIG. 4  means the advance of flow from step S 2  to S 4  in  FIG. 3  for carrying out the play of music box. On the other hand, if the operation to download new piece is not determined in step S 64 , the flow instantly goes to the end. Further if it is determined in step S 44  that the predetermined time period has been over, the flow instantly goes to the end. The flow of  FIG. 4  may so modified that the flow goes back to step S 44  from steps S 64  and S 68  and that the flow only goes to the end by way of step S 44  when the predetermined time period counted from the completion of the last function caused by the operation other than power on operation is over. 
     In the flowchart in  FIG. 4 , cradling tempo unification function about a plurality of pieces is explained in steps S 56  to S 62 . However, the embodiment is not limited to the flowchart, but various modification of the cradle mode function is possible. According to the most simplified modification, for example, the most adequate temperate piece for cradling is to be selected among the existing play group in response to the cradling setting detected in step S 54 . And, the selected piece is to be simply repeated. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the function carried out by signal generation controller  88  in music box signal generator  16  in  FIG. 2 , the flow being arranged to start in response to start of function of baby bedside mobile controller  8 . If the flow starts, step S 72  comes first to load 1/f fluctuation data from 1/f fluctuation data memory  22  to 1/f fluctuation data register  66 . Next, in step S 74 , a random number form random table memory  24  to advance to step S 76  for determining the initiating address of 1/f fluctuation data register  66  in accordance with the loaded random number. 
     Further in step S 78 , 1/f fluctuation is introduced into the attenuation of each music box sound by 1/f fluctuation attenuation modifier  80  which modifies the data in attenuation data holder  76  in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data register  66 . And, in step S 80 , 1/f fluctuation signal generator  86  is directed to starts generation of time varying signal with 1/f fluctuation in accordance with the data form 1/f fluctuation data register  66  to introduce 1/f fluctuation into the volume of the sound signal passing through 1/f fluctuation volume modifier  84 , the flow then going to step S 82 . 
     In step S 82 , it is checked whether or not the data of a piece is transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8  to basic sequencer  56 . If it is determined in step S 82  that the data of piece is transmitted, the flow goes to step S 84  to check whether or not timing for generating a tone of note in the music comes in accordance with pitch/timing signal from basic sequencer  56 . If it is determined in step S 84  that the timing comes, the flow goes to step S 86  to load one data from 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  in synchronism with the timing of generating tone, the flow then going to step S 88 . In step S 88 , 1/f fluctuation delay  58  introduces 1/f fluctuation delay into the timing of the basic pitch/timing signal generated from basic sequencer  56  in accordance with the loaded data form 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68 , the flow then going to step S 90 . 
     In step S 90 , it is checked whether or not the music is during ritardando. Here, it should be noted that “during ditardando” means to include a moment that the information of timing to start the ritardando is just detected. If it is not determined in step S 90  that the music is during ritardando, the flow goes to step S 92  to check whether or not the music is during tempo rubato. Thus, if the music is not during ritardando nor tempo rubato, the flow directly goes to step S 94 . The determination whether or not the music is during ritadando or tempo rubato is possible by checking whether or not the basic pitch/timing signal coming to modification sequencer  60  includes a timing signal indicative of the start of ritadando or tempo rubato or by checking whether or not a specific flag explained later is made on by the start of ritadando or tempo rubato. In step S 94 , a direction from modification sequencer  60  is made to have music box sound source data holder generate a music box signal of a pitch and timing in response to the pitch/timing signal originated from basic sequencer and 1/f fluctuation delayed through step S 88 , the flow then going to step S 100 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 90  that the music is during ritardando, the flow goes to step S 96  to carry out ritadando modification process, in which the pitch/timing signal modified in step S 88  to include 1/f fluctuation delay is further modified to include ritardando delay, the flow then going to step S 94 . On the contrary, if it is determined in step S 92  that the music is during tempo rubato, the flow goes to step S 98  to carry out tempo rubato modification process, in which the pitch/timing signal modified in step S 88  to include 1/f fluctuation delay is further modified to include tempo rubato expression, the flow then going to step S 94 . The ritardando modification process in step S 96  and the tempo rubato modification process in step S 98  will be explained later in more detail, respectively. 
     In step S 100 , it is checked whether or not the music box signal of a pitch and timing directed in step S 94  is for the timing of the end of piece. If not the flow goes back to step S 84 . On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 84  that timing for generating a tone of note in the music comes in accordance with pitch/timing signal from basic sequencer  56 , the flow directly goes to step S 100 . Also in this case, the flow goes back to step S 84 . Thus, unless the end of piece is detected in step S 100 , the flow repeats the loop of steps S 84  to S 100  to wait for next timing for generating a tone of note in the music. And, if the next timing comes, the flow basically carries out steps S 86  to S 92  and also step S 96  or step S 98  where necessary to reach step S 94  for carrying out the direction to have music box sound source data holder  74  generate one tone (or a group of simultaneous tones in the case of chord or polyphony). 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 100  that the music box signal of a pitch and timing directed in step S 94  is for the timing of the end of piece, the flow goes to step S 102  to check whether or not baby bedside mobile controller  2  is made into rest state. If not, but baby bedside mobile controller  2  is in operation, the flow goes back to step S 82 . On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 82  that the data of a piece is transmitted from baby bedside mobile controller  8  to basic sequencer  56 , the flow directly goes to step S 102 . Thus, unless baby bedside mobile controller  2  is made into rest state, the loop of steps S 82  to S 102  is repeated for continuing to play music box pieces one by one. By the way, if it is determined in step S 100  that the music box signal of a pitch and timing directed in step S 94  is for the timing of the end of piece, the data of piece the play of which has been completed is deleted with the flag indicative of during ritardando or tempo rubato put down if any. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the ritardando modification process of step S 96  in  FIG. 5 . If the flow starts, step S 112  comes first to check whether or not ritardando has been already started. If not, the flow gees to step S 114  to load a unit ritardando data and to make the ritardando flag on since step S 114  is caused by the case that the flow in  FIG. 5  comes from step S 90  to step S 96  in response to the detection of the information of timing to start the ritardando which is just detected. Next in step S 116 , the initial delay is set at an interval corresponding to the unit ritardando data. And, in step S 118 , one of 1/f fluctuation data is loaded from 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  to modify the delay to introduce 1/f fluctuation. On the basis of the function by the above steps, ritardando timing signal modified with 1/f fluctuation is outputted in step S 124 . Further in step S 126 , the number elapsed beats counted from the initiation of ritardando is incremented, the flow then going to the end. In accordance with the ritardando timing signal modified with 1/f fluctuation outputted in step S 124 , the direction is made in step S 94  in  FIG. 5  to have music box sound source data holder generate the music box signal of a pitch and timing during ritadando. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 112  that ritardando has been already started, the flow goes to step S 120  to load the number of elapsed beats counted from the initiation of ritardando since step S 120  is caused by the case that the flow comes from step S 90  to step S 96  in response to the detection of the ritardand flag formerly made on in step S 114  upon initiation of the ritardando. Next in step S 122 , the delay is set at an interval corresponding to the unit ritardando data multiplied by the loaded number of elapsed beats, the flow then going to step S 118 . In this case, a similar process to that in the case of initial delay is carried out in the steps led by step S 118  except that the delay interval is different. According to the manner explained above, the flow in  FIG. 6  is repeatedly carried out with the number of elapsed beats incremented to increase the delay every time when the timing for generating a note comes, the retardando being thus achieved. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the detailed function of the tempo rubato modification process of step S 98  in  FIG. 5 . If the flow starts, step S 132  comes first to check whether or not tempo rubato has been already started. If not, the flow gees to step S 134  to load tempo rubato data and to make the tempo rubato flag on since step S 134  is caused by the case that the flow in  FIG. 5  comes from step S 92  to step S 98  in response to the detection of the information of timing to start the tempo rubato which is just detected. Next in step S 136 , an anchorage beat for the tempo rubato is determined, the flow then going to step S 138 . The anchorage beat means a supporting timing point for carrying out the tempo rubato, the anchorage beat being normally set at the beat in front of the beat where the tempo rubato is started. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 132  that tempo rubato has been already started, the flow directly goes to step S 138  since it is the case that the flow comes from step S 92  to step S 98  in response to the detection of the tempo rubato flag formerly made on in step S 134  upon initiation of the tempo rubato. 
     In step S 138 , the number of elapsed beats counted from the timing of the anchorage beat is loaded. The flow then goes to step S 140  to load one of the tempo rubato data corresponding to the number of the elapsed beats loaded in step S 138 , the flow then going to step S 142 . In step S 142 , it is checked whether or not the loaded tempo rubato data is to extend the length of tone. In the case of extension of tone, the flow goes to step S 144  to delay the timing of the basic pitch/timing signal from the on-time beat, the flow then going to step S 146 . On the other hand, if extension of tone is not detected in step S 142 , the flow directly goes to step S 146 . In step S 146 , it is checked whether or not the loaded tempo rubato data is to reduce the length of tone. In the case of reduction of tone, the flow goes to step S 148  to accelerate the timing of the basic pitch/timing signal on the basis of the on-time beat in front of the beat to be accelerated, the flow then going to step S 150 . 
     On the other hand, if reduction of tone is not detected in step S 146 , it means that the tempo rubato data is neither for extension of tone, nor for reduction of tone, but for return from the formally extended or reduced tone to the on-time beat. Therefore, the flow directly goes from step S 146  to step S 150  in this case. In other words, the timing of the pitch/timing signal is neither delayed nor accelerated even during tempo rubato, but the timing is basically of the pitch/timing signal which is inputted into modification sequencer  60  as it is. 
     In step S 150 , one of 1/f fluctuation data is loaded from 1/f fluctuation data sequential output  68  to modify the delay to introduce 1/f fluctuation. On the basis of the function by the above steps, tempo rubato timing signal modified with 1/f fluctuation is outputted in step S 152 . Further in step S 154 , the number elapsed beats counted from the timing of the anchorage beat is incremented, the flow then going to step S 156 . In step S 156 , it is checked whether or not the number of elapsed beats reaches a predetermined number as a result of the increment, the predetermined number corresponding to the number of the beats between the anchorage beat and the beat at which the tempo rubato is ended. Thus, if it is determined in step S 156  that the number of elapsed beats reaches the predetermined number, the flow goes to step S 158  to put the tempo rubato flag down, the flow then going to the end. On the other hand, if it is not determined in n step S 156  that the number of elapsed beats reaches the predetermined number, the flow instantly goes to the end. According to the manner explained above, the flow in  FIG. 7  is repeatedly carried out to achieve the tempo rubato at that timing one by one, the total tempo rubato being thus achieved. for a given time interval 
     The various features and advantages according to this invention are not limited to the disclosed embodiment above, but they are widely applicable to various other embodiments which are possible to enjoy one or more of the advantages of this invention. According to the embodiment explained above, for example, ritardando modification process  96  is carried out in a simplified manner as in  FIG. 6 , in which the ritardando delay is attained on the basis of the unit retardando data and its multiple since ritardand is a simply increasing delay at the ending portion of a piece. However, the detailed manner of achieving ritardando is not limited to the embodiment, but various modifications are possible. For example, the ritardando modification process can be realized by the detailed manner similar to that in  FIG. 7 , in which ritardando data for every beat is to be loaded one by one to determine the delay every time as in the case of tempo rubato.