Duality - hybrid mechanism for acoustic piano

Abstract

The present disclosure is enclosed in the area of musical instruments, in particular including the combination of acoustic and digital sound generation, including an apparatus suitable for providing a digital sound output and couplable to a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism and which, through proximity electronic sensors couplable to keys of the piano to command the emission of an electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

Description

[0001] DUALITY - HYBRID MECHANISM FOR ACOUSTIC PIANO

[0002] FIEED OF THE DISCEOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure is enclosed in the area of musical instruments, in particular including the combination of acoustic and digital sound generation.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Solutions exist in the art relating to hybrid piano systems, as is the case of the solution described in patent application with publication no. US 2006 / 130640 Al, which are heavy and lofty and thereby not portable, not to mention that they are also complicated to install and, consequently, not suitable for live performances, but only for domestic and studio use. These systems are typically also expensive. Other solutions, as is the case of the one described in patent application with publication no. US 2004 / 0003708 Al, are cumbersome and difficult to install, and the mechanisms are neither portable nor adaptable to different piano models.

[0006] Moreover, none of the existing solutions allows a true generation of digital and acoustic sound, which results from a perfect combination between the generation of a digital sound signal which corresponds to a generated acoustic sound.

[0007] The present solution innovatively overcomes such issues.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure an apparatus suitable for providing a digital sound output and couplable to a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism.

[0010] The apparatus may comprise: a plurality of proximity electronic sensors, each proximity electronic sensor being couplable to a key of the piano and able to provide first sensing data which allows to determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key, the apparatus being configured to, based on the first sensing data, determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key and to, based on the determined intensity, issue one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity, wherein the apparatus is thereby correspondingly configured to command the emission of the electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0011] The solution of the present disclosure allows to effectively and efficiently transform an actual analogue or acoustic piano into a digital sound generator or synthesizer, while retaining all of the original qualities and benefits of an acoustic piano, thereby providing a perfect combination of digital and analogue / acoustic, in real-time, in a single device. Its construction allows it to be lightweight and portable, and thereby easily mountable. There is no need for additional preparation of piano prior to instalment of the system.

[0012] The present disclosure further comprises a system comprising an apparatus according to the present disclosure and a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism, the proximity electronic sensors being provided on the keys of the piano.

[0013] Moreover, the present disclosure also includes a method of providing a digital sound output associated with a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism.

[0014] The method may comprise: with the apparatus according to the present invention, coupling each proximity electronic sensor to a key of the piano, and upon pressing of at least key of the piano, issuing one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0015] As referred, the construction of the apparatus allows it to be lightweight and portable, and thereby easily mountable and operable.

[0016] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0017] Figure 1 - representation of a method according to the present disclosure, comprising the pressing of a key of a piano and the simultaneous emission of an acoustic sound signal, through the acoustic piano, and a digital sound signal, through the obtaining of first sensing data - obtained from a proximity electronic sensor the determination of the intensity of pressing and, from it, the issuing of a command for the generation of a digital sound.

[0018] Figure 2 - representation of the calculation of the velocity of pressing of a key / sensor, in which values Al i.e. Top Threshold and A2 i.e Bottom Treshold are obtained at distances which refer, correspondingly, to 40% and 20% of the dynamic range of a sensor. Corresponding time values T1 and T2 are also obtained. The velocity is thereby obtained through the relation: velocity = scaling_param x ( (127 x proximity_normalized) / (pow(deductor, downpower_param) using the following equations: proximity normalized = (proximity_diff / (top_threshold- bottom thershold)) deductor = ( (T2-T1) + linearity_param) / linearity_param, wherein:

[0019] Linearity jaram is normalization adjustment parameter for better linearization of velocity (range 2-100, typical 15); downpower_param is parameter for adjustment correction of detected silent tones (range 0.2- 10, typical 1.5); scaling_param is master volume parameter (range 0.2-10, typical 4); proximity normalized is normalized ratio between distance the key travelled and absolute threshold differential proximity_diff is equal to A2 - Al deductor is (T2 - Tl) corrected for additional linearization and pow(deductor, downpower param) - deductor is raised to the power of downpower_param.

[0020] Figure 3 and 4 - schematical representation of an apparatus of the present disclosure, which comprises a master microcontroller unit MCU i.e. main MCU connected by MIDI protocol via USB cabled connection to a laptop. Each segment's MCU has inputs which are connected via I2C and I2C mux to the inputs / outputs from the proximity electronic sensors. The connection between each segment microcontroller and the master microcontroller unit are provided via CAN protocol. Figure 3 is a representation of the whole system including 4 segments which are connected via internal high speed line. Figure 4 is a representation of one segment of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The apparatus of the present disclosure, as referred, is couplable to a piano.

[0022] The piano consists of an acoustic piano, which may also be referred to as analogue. The piano thereby comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism.

[0023] The apparatus may also comprise a plurality of proximity electronic sensors, each proximity electronic sensor being couplable to a key of the piano. Such is one form of the said coupling of the apparatus to the piano.

[0024] Moreover, each proximity electronic sensor is such that it is able to provide first sensing data. The first sensing data allows to determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key.

[0025] The apparatus may be configured to, based on the first sensing data, determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key. Such may be implemented by means described subsequently, as a matter of example.

[0026] Moreover, the apparatus may be further configured to, based on the determined intensity, issue one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity. An example of such a command is a MIDI [Musical Instrument Digital Interface] command, a command issued according to the MIDI standard.

[0027] Such consists of a compact way of coupling each proximity electronic sensor to a key of an acoustic piano and obtaining information - of first sensing data - on the pressing of a key of the piano simultaneously with the actual pressing of the key.

[0028] The apparatus is correspondingly configured to command the emission of the electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0029] The apparatus may further comprise one or more electronic sound generators configured to receive the one or more issued commands and thereby generate an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity, the apparatus thereby being configured to emit the generated electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0030] Thus, the apparatus allows to, in real-time and in a compact manner, generating an acoustic sound and an electronic / digital sound.

[0031] Each proximity electronic sensor may be able to provide second sensing data. In such case, the apparatus is further configured to, based on the second sensing data, determine a velocity of pressing of a respective key and to, based on the determined velocity, adjust the note and / or tone of the digital sound signal generated by the one or more electronic sound generators. Such adjustment allows for a player to manipulate the notes and tones through an additional interaction with the instrument, which involves the velocity with which the player presses a certain key.

[0032] Each proximity electronic sensor may have a dynamic range and be able to provide the said first sensing data along time. In such case, the apparatus is further configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the first sensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval. Such consists of an efficient manner to determine the velocity of pressing of a key.

[0033] The apparatus may be further configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the first sensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval, wherein a first sensing data value is obtained at a first predetermined threshold value Al corresponding to a first time instant T1 and first sensing data value is obtained at a second predetermined threshold value A2 corresponding to a second time instant T2, wherein the velocity is determined through the relation: velocity = scaling_param x ( (127 x proximity_normalized) / (pow(deductor, downpower_param) ) using the following equations: proximity normalized = (proximity_diff / (top_threshold- bottom thershold)) deductor = ( (T2-T1) + linearity_param) / linearity_param.

[0034] Such consists of an additionally efficient manner to determine the velocity of pressing of a key.

[0035] More efficiently, the first predetermined threshold value Al i.e. Top Threshold, may be within the range of 35-45 % of the dynamic range of a sensor, and the second predetermined threshold value A2 i.e. Bottom Threshold may be within the range of 15-25 % of the dynamic range of a sensor. "Top Thrsh" and "Bottom Thrsh" are configurable thresholds for the whole device. Al and A2 are calculated for each sensor during the calibration process. Al and A2 are used for velocity calculation.

[0036] The proximity electronic sensors which incorporate photo diodes, AMP, and LED emitter, with resistance to ambient light changes may be distance sensors. In such case, a distance measured by a distance sensor corresponds a measured intensity.

[0037] The distance sensors may consist of optical distance sensors. Optical distance sensors are highly accurate, providing high dynamic precision, and cost-effective. Optical sensors do not have to directly contact with piano keys, hence they cannot be damaged during use. Optical sensors also allow an easy the installation of the apparatus and more adaptable to different types of pianos.

[0038] The optical distance sensors may consist of fast optical distance sensors, optionally fast optical distance sensors for short ranges.

[0039] The maximum distance measured by an optical sensor is of less than 15 mm, optionally less than 5 mm.

[0040] The apparatus may be further configured to convert the determined intensity into a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal to be emitted according to the issued command.

[0041] The apparatus may further comprise at least one segment microcontroller.

[0042] The segment microcontroller may be associated with one or more keys, and thereby is configured to determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key.

[0043] The segment microcontroller may also be configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the first sensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval. The segment microcontroller may also be configured to convert the determined intensity into a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal to be emitted according to the issued command.

[0044] The apparatus may further comprise a master microcontroller unit, wherein the master microcontroller unit is configured to, based on: an intensity determined by a segment microcontroller, or on a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal, command the emission of the electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0045] The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of electronic light emitters. Each light emitting element may correspond to one proximity electronic sensor, wherein the apparatus is thereby further configured to, based on the determined intensity control the electronic light emitters to emit light with an intensity and / or colour which corresponds to the determined intensity.

[0046] To each segment microcontroller may correspond 22 proximity electronic sensors and thereby 22 piano keys, and / or to each segment microcontroller correspond 22 electronic light emitters and 22 proximity electronic sensors and, thereby, 22 piano keys. Thus, to each segment controller may correspond two octaves.

[0047] The apparatus may comprise 88 proximity electronic sensors corresponding to 88 piano keys.

[0048] Each proximity electronic sensor may be arranged at a distance of 0.5-15 mm from a corresponding key.

[0049] Each proximity electronic sensor is able to be coupled above a corresponding piano key.

[0050] As referred, the present disclosure also includes a method, in particular a method of providing a digital sound output associated with a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism.

[0051] The method may comprise: with the apparatus according to the present invention, coupling each proximity electronic sensor to a key of the piano and upon pressing of at least key of the piano, issuing one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0052] The method may further comprise the step of: upon pressing of at least key of the piano, emitting the generated electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

[0053] The apparatus and the method of the present disclosure retain all technical functionalities of a classic piano, including its massive dynamic range, virtuosity, performance techniques for example, but these are enriched with new digital / electronic sound. The apparatus of the present disclosure allows the pianists to control the number of digital sounds in real time, which can completely replace the (silenced) analogue sound of the piano, or mix with it in desired quantities, in order to create new blends of analogue and / or digital colours.

[0054] Moreover, the technical solution dislosed here provides the ability to split device into 4 segments and master control module. It also provides usage of light focusing tunnels for better single sensor performances and filtering nearby sensors interference and usage of proximity sensors which incorporate photo diodes, AMP, and LED emitter, with built in filtering and resisntant to ambient light changes.

[0055] Through the apparatus and method of the present disclosure, it is possible to have a sound output through headphones which are thereby receiving the generated electronic sound together with the acoustic sound from the piano, hearing its own perfect sound.

[0056] Such is a solution implementable in any place at any time, through the coupling of headphones - or another sound output means - to the apparatus. Moreover, an additional alternative may be to connect a piano through the apparatus to computer using MIDI protocol via USB, opening new way of playing and composing piano music; to use interactive education apps for learning to play the piano; to use a piano as an interactive controller for video games; to play piano with a favourite band, orchestra or piano virtuoso. The apparatus, system and method of the present disclosure provide a solution which can be easily installed and connected to any computer and sound equipment and which can be used for live performances, to perform any kinds of digital sounds on the analogue piano in real time.

[0057] The apparatus of the present disclosure is adaptable to any classical piano (grand or upright piano), it is adaptable to any types of computers and audio equipment, it cannot harm the piano when placed on it, and it offers huge possibilities for using the existing sound banks and creating new ones.

[0058] The new prototype of the hybrid piano will be easy to manufacture and maintain, because each sensor will be individually accessible for possible repair or replacement, without the need to tear down the whole mechanism.

[0059] Moreover, the solution of the present disclosure allows to repair old pianos, whose standard reparation (which includes the replacement of strings, hammers, digits, etc.) would be very expensive. However, with the use of the present hybrid solution, any old piano becomes instantly playable, even if at least partly only through the emission of electronic / digital sound, through the apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0060] The apparatus of the present disclosure may be implemented through the provision of an integrated circuit, on a printed electronic board with a digital optical sensor, which contains a microcontroller that monitors the states of digital outputs of the optical sensors. The microcontroller determines the intensity of pressing of the piano key and the moment when it is released, and forms a MIDI command. The MIDI commands sent from the 88 keyboard microcontrollers arrive to a main or master board with one larger microcontroller that adjusts and forwards them to digital electronic sound generators.

[0061] The final mix of analogue and digital sounds will be controlled by the pianist himself or by sound engineers.

[0062] The pianist would play the system of the present disclosure as he would ordinarily, but he would have the option to manipulate the notes and tones while he is playing. The present disclosure provides a mechanism which measures velocity for each tone that is played to create MIDI data. Velocity may be calculated as a time that is needed for a sensor associated with a key to complete the path from 40% of the dynamic range to 20% of the dynamic range. Dynamic range is the distance that sensor measures from key not pressed position to the key pressed position.

[0063] The apparatus may comprise: a sensing unit comprising at least one distance sensor, such as fast optical distance sensor for short ranges,

[0064] 88 Optical proximity sensors mounted on 4 segment PCBs (thus, 22 sensors on each bord), connected to a segment microcontroller unit (MCU) (thus, one MCU on each board), over 3 I2C switches on each board.

[0065] Boards communicate through a protocol such as CAN interface with the master microcontroller unit.

[0066] The master microcontroller unit may be provided in a PCB with the same MCU and CAN interface as segments, and have a a USB port for communication with PC, UCD and control buttons.

[0067] The distance of interest, which is the maximum distance that a sensor passes when pressed, is less than 5mm which proved to be excellent and also removed the possibility of the sensors cross-talking.

[0068] Figure 2 shows how the distance changes when a key and thereby a sensor is pressed and also thresholds used to trigger velocity calculation. Velocity is obtained by the relation: velocity = scaling_param x ( (127 x proximity_normalized) / (pow(deductor, downpower_param) ) using the following equations: proximity normalized = (proximity_diff / (top_threshold- bottom thershold)) deductor = ( (T2-T1) + linearity_param) / linearity_param.

[0069] A classical piano keyboard consists of 7 octaves, each has 12 keys in total, 5 black and 7 white keys. An apparatus may comprise, as referred, segment microcontrollers and a master microcontroller unit (MCU). Such solution is presented in figure 3.

[0070] Microcontrollers perform all the necessary processing. There is one of them per segment board - segment microcontrollers -, and one on the master board - master microcontroller unit. Segment MCUs are calculating distances for every sensor, converting their values to MIDI notes and sending them to the master MCU. They are also controlling light emitters - Light emission diode (LED) lights.

[0071] The master microcontroller (on the Master board) is integrating and controlling all 4 segments, communicating with the computer over USB, sending signals over MIDI port, possibly receiving pedal inputs and possibly controlling an onboard screen such as an LCD.

[0072] The light signal is converted to relative distance value by the sensor itself and sent to a microcontroller. During the calibration procedure, maximum distance is measured by pressing a key. The difference between these two values is a maximum distance used for determining key press and the velocity. It uses predefined thresholds set in percentages relative to the calibrated value. A segment microcontroller detects moments when thresholds are reached and according to the time passed calculates velocities and converts them to MIDI notes.

[0073] The piano according to the present disclosure may contain 4 segments (MCU) that are communicating via 3 I2C switches with sensors (Figure 3).

[0074] Each segment microcontroller may also be configured for the calculation of the velocities for the keys and communication with a computer, e.g. a laptop. A MIDI via USB protocol may be used to pass velocity data between MCU and laptop.

[0075] Each switch may be connected with 8 sensors. An interrupt (INT 1, INT 2, INT 3) may be used to signal a segment microcontroller which group of sensors has detected movement to achieve some level of optimization.

[0076] A calibration procedure of the apparatus may be provided. The calibration procedure may be used to find a dynamic range for each of the keys and to properly detect the predefined thresholds. The dynamic range is the distance that sensor measures from key not pressed position to the key pressed position. The calibration procedure is as follows: the user initiates the apparatus, namely by powering it a calibration mode is selected, for instance automatically each of the keys and thereby each sensor is in an initial position, in which no pressure is provided first sensing data for the initial position for all the keys is obtained a user presses each key and thereby each corresponding sensor, down to measure a "bottom" value, first sensing data for the “bottom” position for all the keys is obtained.

[0077] First sensing data obtained during the calibration procedure is valid for the apparatus and respective system and is stored on the segment controllers, that is in the EEPROM memory of segment microcontrollers for each segment board and therefore can be instantly recalled on the next apparatus or system startup, without the need for performing calibration again, if used on the same apparatus or system without removal.

[0078] The apparatus, the system, the method and / or their elements include components to perform at least some of the example features and features of the methods described, whether through hardware components (such as memory and / or processor), software or any combination thereof.

[0079] In particular, the apparatus and / or the system may comprise one or more microcontrollers, such as the segment and master microcontrollers, with the capability of receiving external data through inputs and providing actuation of outputs, based on predefined configured rules and / or programming.

[0080] An article for use with the apparatus, the system, the method and / or their elements, such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer-readable medium, including program instructions recorded on it, or a computer data signal carrying readable program instructions computer can direct a device to facilitate the implementation of the methods described herein. It is understood that such apparatus, articles of manufacture and computer data signals are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] A "computer-readable medium" means any medium that can store instructions for use or execution by a computer or other computing device, including read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, random access memory (RAM), a portable floppy disk, a drive hard drive (HDD), a solid state storage device (for example, NAND flash or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), and / or an optical disc such as a Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or Blu-Ray ™ Disc.

[0082] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific details described herein, and a number of changes are possible which remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, details of the apparatus and system shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus suitable for providing a digital sound output and couplable to a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism, the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises: a plurality of proximity electronic sensors, each proximity electronic sensor being couplable to a key of the piano and able to provide first sensing data which allows to determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key, the apparatus being configured to, based on the first sensing data, determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key and to, based on the determined intensity, issue one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity, wherein the apparatus is thereby correspondingly configured to command the emission of the electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more electronic sound generators configured to receive the one or more issued commands and thereby generate an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity, the apparatus thereby being configured to emit the generated electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each proximity electronic sensor is able to provide second sensing data, the apparatus being further configured to, based on the second sensing data, determine a velocity of pressing of a respective key and to, based on the determined velocity, adjust the note and / or tone of the digital sound signal generated by the one or more electronic sound generators.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each proximity electronic sensor has a dynamic range and is able to provide the said first sensing data along time, the apparatus thereby being further configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the first sensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the firstsensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval, wherein a first sensing data value is obtained at a first predetermined threshold value Al i.e. Top Threshold corresponding to a first time instant T1 and first sensing data value is obtained at a second predetermined threshold value A2 i .e . Bottom Threshold corresponding to a second time instant T2, wherein the velocity is determined through the relation: velocity = scaling_param x ( (127 x proximity_normalized) / (pow(deductor, downpower_param) ) using the following equations: proximity normalized = (proximity_diff / (top_threshold- bottom thershold)) deductor = ( (T2-T1) + linearity_param) / linearity_param.

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the proximity electronic sensors which include photo diodes, AMP, and LED emitter, with resistance to ambient light changes, are distance sensors, wherein to a distance measured by a distance sensor corresponds a measured intensity.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the distance sensors are optical distance sensors, preferably, fast optical distance sensors, more preferably, fast optical distance sensors for short ranges.

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is further configured to convert the determined intensity into a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal to be emitted according to the issued command.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one segment microcontroller, the segment microcontroller being configured to determine an intensity of pressing of a respective key, and / or when dependent of any of the claims 4-5, the segment microcontroller is configured to determine the velocity of pressing of a key based on the variation of the first sensing data across at least part of the dynamic range and along a time interval, and / or when dependent of claim 8, the segment microcontroller is configured to convert the determined intensity into a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal to be emitted according to the issued command.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus further comprises a master microcontroller unit, wherein the master microcontroller unit is configured to, based on: an intensity determined by a segment microcontroller, or when dependent of claim 8, on a note and / or tone of an electronic sound signal, command the emission of the electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of electronic light emitters, each light emitting element corresponding to one proximity electronic sensors, wherein the apparatus is further configured to, based on the determined intensity control the electronic light emitters to emit light with an intensity and / or colour which corresponds to the determined intensity.

12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein, when dependent of claim 9, to each segment microcontroller correspond 22 proximity electronic sensors and thereby 22 piano keys and / or when dependent of claims 9 and 11, to each segment microcontroller correspond 22 electronic light emitters and 22 proximity electronic sensors and, thereby, 22 piano keys.

13. A system comprising an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism, the proximity electronic sensors being provided on the keys of the piano.

14. A method of providing a digital sound output associated with a piano which comprises an acoustic sound emission mechanism, the method comprising: the apparatus according to any of the claims 1-12, coupling each proximity electronic sensor to a key of the piano and upon pressing of at least key of the piano, issuing one or more commands for the emission of an electronic sound signal which corresponds to the determined intensity alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano.

15. The method according to claim 14, the method further comprising:emitting the generated electronic sound signal alone or together with an acoustic sound of the acoustic sound emission mechanism of the piano upon pressing of at least one key of the piano.

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