Palm hitting type musical instrument system suitable for people with hand dysfunction

Abstract

The invention discloses a palm hitting type musical instrument system and method suitable for a person with hand dysfunction. The system comprises a left musical instrument module and a right musical instrument module which are symmetrically arranged, and a trigger patch which is used for being pasted on a metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion of a user. A force sensor and a trigger circuit are arranged in the musical instrument module, and the musical instrument module can detect a palm hitting action and generate a signal containing note information and a force value; and the main control module receives the signal and drives the sound module to give out sound with corresponding notes and volumes. The main control module further integrates data recording, adaptive learning and rehabilitation evaluation functions, can adaptively adjust system parameters based on long-term playing data of the user to match the ability progress of the user, and generates a quantitative rehabilitation training evaluation report. According to the invention, a music creation and expression approach is provided for a person with hand dysfunction through a simple palm strike action, objective quantification and visualization of rehabilitation training data are realized, and music treatment and motion function rehabilitation are effectively fused.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the cross-technical field of musical instruments and rehabilitation medical assistive devices, and in particular to a simple musical instrument system operated by the hand joints and suitable for people with hand dysfunction, as well as a method for performance control and rehabilitation assessment based on the system. Background Technology

[0002] Music is an important form of human emotional expression and artistic activity, and it also has significant therapeutic and rehabilitative value. Traditional musical instruments, such as the piano and guitar, mostly require flexible and complete finger operation. This greatly limits the possibility of people participating in music creation and performance for those who have lost finger dexterity due to injury, disability, or dysfunction, or due to neurological diseases (such as sequelae of stroke).

[0003] At present, there are limited types of musical instruments designed specifically for people with disabilities on the market, and most of them have the following shortcomings: (1) They focus on mouth or foot operation and neglect the use of the remaining functions of the hands (such as the movement of the metacarpophalangeal joints); (2) The existing equipment has a single function and usually only has a simple sound production function, which cannot quantitatively record and analyze the user's performance; (3) They lack deep integration with rehabilitation training and cannot provide patients and therapists with objective and quantitative data on the rehabilitation process.

[0004] Therefore, developing an intelligent percussion instrument system that does not rely on fine motor skills of the fingers, can meet the needs of musical performance, and can also serve rehabilitation assessment, has important practical significance and social value. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Purpose of the invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a palm-percussion musical instrument system and method. The system and method are not only simple in structure and easy to operate, but also integrate multiple functions such as force perception, data recording, adaptive learning and rehabilitation assessment, enabling people with hand dysfunction to use their palm and finger joints to simultaneously achieve music performance and systematic rehabilitation training.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] A percussion-based musical instrument system suitable for individuals with hand dysfunction includes a left instrument module, a right instrument module, a left hand metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patch, a right hand metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patch, a sensing and triggering unit, a sound module, a main control module, and a power supply module. The left and right instrument modules are symmetrically arranged independent housings, each equipped with four active buttons corresponding to eight basic musical notes. The back of the metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patch is coated with a medical-grade low-sensitivity adhesive layer, allowing it to be firmly attached to the user's metacarpophalangeal joint protrusions. As a key improvement of this invention, the sensing and triggering unit uses a force sensor (such as a piezoresistive or capacitive pressure sensor) instead of a traditional microswitch. This unit can capture the force of the user's palm strikes, generating a digital signal containing note information and force value. The main control module controls the sound module to output the corresponding note and varying volume based on this force value, thereby achieving volume changes and enhancing musical expressiveness.

[0010] The audio module includes a left speaker and a right speaker.

[0011] As another key improvement of the present invention, the main control module integrates the following:

[0012] Data recording unit: used to continuously record the user's performance data, which includes note sequence, trigger timestamp, trigger intensity, rhythm information (calculated from consecutive trigger timestamps) and number of erroneous triggers;

[0013] Adaptive learning unit: Communicatively connected to the data recording unit, configured to analyze the user's performance history data and dynamically adjust system parameters based on the analysis results; for example, after the system detects an improvement in the user's dynamic control ability, it can automatically increase the trigger sensitivity threshold to encourage the user to increase the force; or intelligently recommend suitable practice pieces based on historical performance;

[0014] Rehabilitation assessment unit: It is connected to the data recording unit and is configured to calculate multiple quantitative indicators, such as "average trigger force", "force control stability coefficient" and "synchronization rate of both hands", based on the performance data recorded within a preset period and through a preset algorithm, and generate a visualized rehabilitation assessment report.

[0015] Furthermore, as a preferred extended implementation, the metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patch can be upgraded to a wireless trigger patch, integrating an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a wireless communication module (such as a Bluetooth Low Energy module). In this case, the triggering method is no longer limited to physical pressing, but can be expanded to recognize specific tapping actions or spatial motion trajectories, significantly enhancing the dimension and enjoyment of performance. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a performance and rehabilitation assessment method based on the above system, characterized in that the method includes the following steps:

[0016] Signal acquisition steps: The physical signal generated by the user's palm strike is acquired through the sensing and triggering unit;

[0017] Signal processing and execution steps: The main control module receives and processes the physical signal, identifies the corresponding note and dynamic information, and drives the audio module to emit sound with the corresponding volume and pitch;

[0018] Data recording and analysis steps: The data recording unit stores relevant data of this triggered event (including trigger timestamp, dynamic value, and note), and the adaptive learning unit performs learning and analysis based on historical data;

[0019] Feedback and evaluation steps: The adaptive learning unit provides real-time feedback to the user or adjusts system parameters based on the analysis results; the rehabilitation assessment unit generates a quantitative assessment report based on the phased data.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0022] 1. Inclusivity and musical expressiveness: Enables people with hand dysfunction to play music independently, and introduces dynamic perception to make the performance less monotonous and more emotionally varied.

[0023] 2. Intelligence and Personalization: Through data recording and adaptive learning, the system can "understand" the user's progress and provide personalized growth paths, improving the effectiveness and fun of training.

[0024] 3. Datafication and visualization of rehabilitation assessment: Transforming subjective rehabilitation experiences into objective data indicators provides a scientific assessment tool for rehabilitation treatment and helps to achieve precise rehabilitation.

[0025] 4. Diversified triggering methods: The design of the wireless patch expands the interactive ways of playing music, is suitable for users with different levels of disability, and can be used for more advanced rehabilitation training. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall state of the system of the present invention, showing the connection relationship of components such as sensors, main controllers, and speakers.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the left instrument module.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the instrument module base (for easier observation, one of the through holes for installing the movable key and the round plug is cut off by one-quarter).

[0029] Figure 4 This is a software architecture diagram of the internal functional units of the main control module.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the performance and rehabilitation assessment method of the present invention.

[0031] In the diagram: 1-Left instrument module, 2-Right instrument module, 3-Left hand knuckle protrusion patch, 4-Right hand knuckle protrusion patch, 5-Left speaker, 6-Right speaker, 7-Main control module, 8-Instrument module base, 9-Active button, 10-Round plug. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 The system consists of a left instrument module (1), a right instrument module (2), a left-hand patch (3), and a right-hand patch (4). The outer shell of modules (1, 2) is made of ABS engineering plastic, and all electronic components are integrated inside.

[0034] refer to Figure 2 Each instrument module includes: a circuit board with an integrated force sensor as a sensing and triggering unit; a main control module (7), the core of which is a microprocessor; an audio module (5, 6); and a power supply (such as a lithium battery). The force sensor converts the pressure analog signal into a digital signal in real time and transmits it to the main control module (7).

[0035] refer to Figure 3 , is a structural schematic diagram of the instrument module base (8).

[0036] refer to Figure 4 The software portion of the main control module (7) includes a data recording unit, an adaptive learning unit, and a rehabilitation assessment unit. When the user plays, the data recording unit stores each triggered event (including notes, dynamics, trigger timestamps, etc.) in non-volatile memory. The adaptive learning unit analyzes the data periodically (e.g., weekly) and adjusts the system parameters accordingly. The rehabilitation assessment unit generates periodic assessment reports based on the cycle set by the therapist.

[0037] refer to Figure 5 The method flow is as follows:

[0038] When the user presses the button, the force sensor generates a signal.

[0039] The main control module analyzes the signal and identifies the triggered button and its corresponding force.

[0040] The driver produces sounds with corresponding notes and volumes.

[0041] At the same time, the triggering event (including note, dynamics, and trigger timestamp) is recorded in the database;

[0042] The adaptive learning unit runs in the background to determine whether the difficulty needs to be adjusted or prompts need to be provided.

[0043] Upon reaching the assessment node, the rehabilitation assessment unit retrieves data from the database, calculates various indicators, and generates a report.

[0044] For example, in rehabilitation assessments, the system analyzes whether the user's "average trigger intensity" has been trending upward over the past month, and whether the "intensity control stability coefficient" has been optimized (indicating that control is becoming more stable). Such changes are considered positive rehabilitation signals.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A palm percussion musical instrument system suitable for use by a person with hand dysfunction, characterized in that, Comprising: left and right musical instrument modules (1, 2), which are symmetrical and independent housings, each provided with a plurality of movable keys (9); a plurality of metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patches (3, 4) with a medical-grade adhesive layer on the back for pasting on the metacarpophalangeal joint protrusions of the user's hands; a sensing and triggering unit provided in the musical instrument module, for detecting the triggering operation of the movable keys by the patch caused by the metacarpophalangeal joint pressing and generating a triggering signal; a sound module including left and right sounds (5, 6) for emitting corresponding musical sounds according to the triggering signal; a main control module (7) electrically connected with the sensing and triggering unit and the sound module for processing the triggering signal and controlling the sound module; a power module for powering the entire system.

2. The palm percussion instrument system of claim 1, wherein: The sensing and triggering unit includes a force sensor for detecting the force value of the user's palm strike, so that the triggering signal is a digital signal containing note information and force information.

3. The palm percussion instrument system of claim 1, wherein: The metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patch (3, 4) is a wireless triggering patch, which integrates an inertial measurement unit and a wireless communication module inside; the musical instrument module is provided with a corresponding wireless receiving module; the triggering operation is performed by the wireless triggering patch, which includes a specific knocking action or a spatial motion trajectory.

4. A palm strike musical instrument system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The main control module (7) further integrates a data recording unit for recording the user's performance data, which at least includes the sequence of notes played, the triggering force of each note, the triggering timestamp, the accuracy rate and the rhythm information.

5. The palm percussion instrument system of claim 4, wherein: The main control module (7) further integrates an adaptive learning unit, which is communicatively connected to the data recording unit, for dynamically adjusting the triggering sensitivity threshold of the system or recommending practice pieces that match the user's current ability according to the user's performance history data.

6. The palm percussion instrument system of claim 5, wherein: It also includes a display module; the main control module (7) further integrates a rehabilitation evaluation unit, which generates an evaluation report for quantifying the user's hand function rehabilitation progress based on long-term data recorded by the data recording unit, and displays the report on the display module.

7. The palm percussion instrument system of claim 6, wherein: The evaluation report generated by the rehabilitation evaluation unit includes but is not limited to the following quantitative indicators: average triggering force, force control stability coefficient, number of consecutive correct triggering times, and synchronization rate of two-hand coordinated performance.

8. A method of playing a percussion instrument system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps include: Preparation step: paste the metacarpophalangeal joint protrusion patches (3, 4) on the metacarpophalangeal joints of the user's hands, and place the left and right musical instrument modules (1, 2) in a position convenient for the user to palm; Triggering step: the user presses the metacarpophalangeal joint to make the patch trigger the corresponding movable key (9); Sound emitting step: the sensing and triggering unit generates a triggering signal, and the main control module (7) receives and analyzes the signal to drive the sound module (5, 6) to emit the corresponding musical sound.

9. A rehabilitation assessment method based on the palm strike musical instrument system of claim 6, characterized in that: The steps include: Data acquisition step: continuously collect and store the performance data generated by the user during the performance through the data recording unit; Data analysis step: the rehabilitation evaluation unit calls the performance data in a specified time period, and calculates a plurality of quantitative indicators related to hand function; Report generation and output step: based on the quantitative indicators, a visual rehabilitation evaluation report is generated, and the report is output to a display module for display.

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