Drinking glass assessment application with acoustic q-factor measurement

Abstract

This software application aims to quantitatively evaluate and facilitate the purchase of drinking glasses by measuring the Q value of the drinking glass.SOLUTION: Disclosed herein is a software application for measuring the Q value of a glass of beverage, suitable for use with a device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. This software application measures the Q value of a drinking glass by recording the acoustic response of the drinking glass to an impulsive excitation. The acoustic response of the drinking glass is analyzed by the device and the software application outputs a Q value. The user can then purchase the glass of beverage in a manner assisted by the application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention has application in measuring and evaluating the acoustic Q value of drinking glasses. [Background technology]

[0002] The Q-factor (or Quality Factor) is a widely known method for investigating the properties of resonant objects in acoustics. The Q-factor is related to acoustic attenuation and is defined by the relationship Q=πTf, where f is the resonant frequency and T is the reverberation time, which is the time it takes for the sound intensity at a resonance to decay to approximately 0.135 of its initial value (1 / e 2 The vibration amplitude of the object being held by hand is significantly reduced (i.e., about 4% of the initial amplitude, e -π ) and oscillates for approximately Q cycles.

[0003] One example of the relevance of Q-factor measurements is the nondestructive evaluation of fruit. For example, Reference 1 describes a method for determining the firmness of watermelons by impulse acoustic excitation using a striking ball and microphone detection. This method utilizes acoustic response measurements in the time and frequency domains and includes the determination of the resonant frequency. A similar method is proposed for the evaluation of avocados in Reference 2. In this case, the importance of additionally measuring the damping ratio (equal to 1 / (2Q)), which is related to the fruit's maturity, ripeness, and tissue composition, is highlighted. The damping ratio can be extracted by analyzing the acoustic spectral width of the resonant peak, specifically one of n = 2 vibration modes, where n is the vibration mode number of the radial vibration. Nondestructive acoustic analysis of wine glasses by investigating their resonant frequency and damping has also been proposed in Reference 3, which describes a method for determining the liquid depth of a wine glass using constant-frequency excitation and microphone detection. In particular, the Q-factor of a wine glass can be measured as the ratio of the resonant frequency (f) to the full-width at half-maximum (Δf) of the frequency-domain response curve of sound intensity, i.e., Q = f / Δf.

[0004] Acoustic measurements on smartphones have also been proposed, including measuring the reverberation time of a room, which is related to attenuation, as described, for example, in Reference 4. However, there are no software applications specifically designed to measure the Q-factor of drinking glasses, and so do not provide a means to evaluate such glasses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Mao, J., Yu, Y., Rao, X., and Wang, J., Firmness prediction and modeling by optimizing acoustic device for watermelons. Journal of Food Engineering, 168, 1-6, 2016. [Patent Document 2] Galili, N., Shmulevich, I., and Benichou, N., Acoustic testing of avocado for fruit reness evaluation..Transactions of the ASAE, 41(2), 399-407(1998). [Patent Document 3] Lendermann, M., Koh, JM, Tan, JSQ, and Cheong, KH, Comprehensive vibrational dynamics of half-open fluid-filled shells. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 475(2227), 20190207(2019). [Patent Document 4] Brown, R., and Evans, L., Acoustics and the smartphone. Proceedings of Acoustics 2011, 2-4 November 2011, Gold Coast, Australia, Paper no. 106, 1-5. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention relates to a software application for measuring the Q-factor of a drinking glass, suitable for use on portable devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers, and personal computers (including laptops). By recording the acoustic response of the drinking glass to an impulse excitation, the resonant acoustic response of the drinking glass, i.e., the ringing sound generated when striking the drinking glass with an object, is analyzed by the device, and the software application outputs a Q-factor. Measurements of various commercially available drinking glasses have shown that the software application can be used to measure the Q-factor of a drinking glass. Through the Q-factor measurement, the software application can evaluate a selected drinking glass even if the brand of the drinking glass is unknown. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: [1] A software application that enables your device to: - recording the ringing sound produced by a user of the device striking a drinking glass non-destructively with a hand-held object, i.e., the acoustic resonance response of the drinking glass, and storing this recorded acoustic signal on the device; - Calculate the Q value from this recorded audio signal - Providing the device user with knowledge of the calculated Q-value so that they can rate a glass of drink based on this calculated Q-value. [2] Additionally, the software application allows: Allowing the user to purchase a drink glass of the same brand or type as the drink glass being measured based on knowledge of the calculated Q value. [3] Additionally, the software application allows: Based on knowledge of the calculated Q-value, allowing the user to purchase a drinking glass of the same brand or type as the drinking glass being measured within the software application or through an internet link provided by the software application. [4] Additionally, the software application allows: - Setup mode to explain the functionality of the software application and generate a countdown that is activated by a button and indicates when to strike a drinking glass with a hand-held object to generate a ringing sound. - Recording mode for recording the acoustic signal of ringing sounds. - Data analysis mode for analyzing recorded acoustic signals. - Output display mode that displays the Q value as a result of the analysis, or prompts the user to repeat the Q measurement if the Q value is not accurate enough. - History mode that displays details of a series of measurements made by the software application. - A purchase mode that allows users to purchase glasses of known brands or types of drinks. [5] Additionally, the software application allows: The object used to strike the glass of drink consists of a pen or an item of cutlery. [6] Additionally, the software application allows: To provide the user with knowledge of the measured reverberation time or frequency of a glass of drink. [7] Additionally, the software application allows: The calculated Q-factors are derived in the frequency domain by fitting the time Fourier transform of the prerecorded acoustic signal with a theoretical fit based on the time Fourier transform of a combination of two exponentially damped sinusoidal oscillations at different frequencies, amplitudes, and phases; -Fitting a combination of two exponentially decaying sinusoidal oscillations of different frequencies, amplitudes, and phases in the time domain, or - or fitting a combination of two exponentially decaying sinusoidal oscillations of different frequencies, amplitudes, and phases in the time domain, - or be fitted in the time domain by using an analytic signal based on a combination of two exponentially damped sinusoidal oscillations of different frequencies, amplitudes, and phases. [8] Additionally, the software application allows: If the fit is not accurate enough according to the selected criteria, it will be determined that the Q value is not accurate enough and the user will be notified that they should redo the Q value measurement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] We disclose a software application that can evaluate a drinking glass by measuring the Q-factor of the drinking glass using a device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. By using this software application, a user can gain knowledge of the calculated Q-factor.

[0009] For example, in the case of wine glasses, purchasing an expensive bottle of wine or wine glass at a restaurant should be associated with a high-quality wine glass. This software application allows the user to obtain an indication of what the wine glass will be like based on their expectations, taking into account the quality of the wine used in the wine glass. If the user can read the brand from the wine glass itself or know the brand through other means, after using this software application, they can purchase wine glasses of the same brand through an internet link provided by the software application or through other means. Alternatively, after using this software application, they can purchase wine glasses of a brand with a similar Q value. In this case, too, they can search for wine glasses with a similar Q value through an internet link provided by the software application or through other means by referencing a database of beverage glasses provided by the software application. Similar arguments apply to glasses for other types of beverages, such as champagne glasses, whiskey glasses, port glasses, beer glasses, sake glasses, and glass tumblers.

[0010] Furthermore, this software application not only provides entertainment but also educational value for understanding and appreciating acoustic concepts related to Q-factor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] A typical screen of the software application as seen during setup mode, corresponding to a user using the application for the first time. [Figure 2] A typical screen of the software application as seen during setup mode, corresponding to the tutorial section. [Figure 3] A typical image used in the tutorial section of a software application. [Figure 4]A typical screen of the software application displayed during countdown recording mode, where the user taps their drink glass at the time indicated by 0. [Figure 5] A typical screen of the software application as seen during recording mode, corresponding to a certain time following the countdown during acquisition of an acoustic signal. [Figure 6] A typical screen of the software application as seen in data analysis mode. [Figure 7] A typical recorded acoustic signal of a wine glass saved by the software application. The data between the two vertical black lines corresponds to the time interval selected for data analysis, i.e., the time-axis analysis interval. [Figure 8] The absolute value of the Fourier transform of the acoustic signal recorded over the analysis time interval is plotted against frequency. A fit to this data based on a Newton-Gaussian fitting is shown as a dotted line. [Figure 9] The absolute value of the analytic signal calculated from the recorded acoustic signal. The dotted line also shows a fit of this data based on a Newton-Gaussian fitting. [Figure 10] A typical screen in the output display mode of the software application that appears when the Q-factor measurement is successful. [Figure 11] A typical screen shot of the software application's output display mode when the Q-factor measurement is not accurate enough. [Figure 12] Plot of the price in Japanese yen including tax of one drink glass and the Q value function from the software application for the n=2 vibration mode with the highest acoustic amplitude on an iPhone 12 for 137 drink glasses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A typical screen of a software application displayed during setup mode for a first-time user features the name of the software application, a brief description of the software application, a slogan advertising the software application, and a nearby clickable button bearing the message "Start Tap Test." The first click of this button connects the user to the tutorial section of the setup mode. After the user reads the tutorial section and agrees to the software application's terms of use, the user is returned to this screen where they can again click the "Start Tap Test" button to begin their first test.

[0013] Another typical screen that appears in the setup mode of the software application corresponds to the tutorial section, which introduces the user to how to use the software application.

[0014] A typical screen displayed by the software application in countdown recording mode corresponds to recording an acoustic signal after time 0. Inside the 0 is the message "Tap!", encouraging the user to tap their drink glass at this moment, as instructed in the tutorial section of the setup mode.

[0015] A typical screen of the software application in recording mode corresponds to the acquisition of an acoustic signal some time after time 0. The screen displays the message "Recording...".

[0016] A typical screen displayed by the software application while in data analysis mode will display the message "Calculating...", indicating that the recorded acoustic data is being analyzed and suggesting that the user wait until the data analysis is finished.

[0017] A typical screen of the software application displayed during output display mode features a text section providing a qualitative rating based on the Q-factor of the drinking glass, a display of the Q-factor, and a comparison with the Q-factors of representative musical instruments. The screen also displays the resonant frequency of the drinking glass's dominant n=2 vibration mode and provides a clickable link to enter purchase mode. [Example]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The Q factor of a drinking glass can be used to evaluate its quality because it is related to its rim thickness. Here, we use the term "drinking glass" to refer to drinking glasses made of glass. The term "glass" encompasses all types of glass, including crystal, a type of glass that generally has a high refractive index and mass density and may contain lead. As a rough guide, for a reasonable range of drinking glass rim thicknesses corresponding to commercially available drinking glasses, the Q factor generally tends to increase as the rim thickness decreases. This is due to an increased acoustic impedance mismatch between the rim region and the lower, generally thicker, region of the drinking glass, which reduces acoustic loss within the glass material from the rim to the bottom of the drinking glass. Thinner-rimmed drinking glasses are generally more expensive to manufacture, in part due to the delicate nature of drinking glass construction. Furthermore, commercially available drinking glasses with thinner rims are generally widely perceived as more comfortable and enjoyable to drink from.

[0019] Another reason why the Q-factor is useful in assessing the quality of a drinking glass is as follows: In general, a higher Q-factor, Q=πTf, results in a more memorable acoustic sensation to the human ear when a drinking glass is struck with an object, because for a given resonant frequency, f, this implies a longer reverberation time, T, or conversely, for a given reverberation time, T, it implies a higher frequency, f. Longer reverberation times and higher frequencies make a drinking glass struck subjectively more memorable to a listener; the former because the sound lasts longer and is therefore more noticeable, and the latter because a higher note imparts a subjectively more noticeable sound. In the case of wine glasses as an example, when people clink their glasses together to toast, the memorable sound the wine glass makes is an inherent part of its value, relative to its Q-factor.

[0020] This software application is intended to be installed on a device used by a user and is based on the following methods: If the device is, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer, the functionality of the software application can be accessed by, for example, using a mouse to click on a link on the device's screen or by pressing or clicking on a link using a touchscreen. We use the terms "click" and "press" interchangeably herein to refer to both of these cases.

[0021] During the setup mode of operation, the device guides the user through the use of the software application. The standard version of the software application prompts the user to accept terms of use. The software application instructs the user to strike the beverage glass in an impactful but non-destructive manner with an object, for example, a pen or a piece of cutlery, thereby exciting one or both of n=2 vibration modes of the beverage glass, where n is the mode number of the radial vibration of the beverage glass's rim. Striking the beverage glass in this manner results in a ringing sound. For a beverage glass with a circular rim, the n=2 vibration mode corresponds to an approximately elliptical deformation of the initially circular rim.

[0022] During the recording mode of operation, the device records ringing sounds using the device's microphone and generates a recorded acoustic signal that is stored on the device. During the data analysis mode of operation, the software application analyzes the recorded acoustic signal to obtain the Q factor, and optionally the reverberation time and / or the n=2 modal resonance frequencies.

[0023] During the Output Display mode of operation, if the fit of the data based on the recorded acoustic signal for the Q-value measurement is deemed sufficiently accurate, the software application will display the calculated Q-value and one or both of the following on the device screen: one or both of the resonant frequencies of the n=2 modes, and the reverberation time. If the Q-value measurement is not deemed successful, a screen will appear prompting the user to perform another measurement. The Output Display mode may also display a text section with a qualitative rating of the drinking glass based on an empirical scale of Q-values. For example, the following qualitative descriptors may be used: Below Average (if Q<500), Not Bad (if Q=500-1000), Very Good (if Q=1000-2000), Excellent (if Q=2000-5000), and Best Quality (if Q>5000).

[0024] During a purchase mode of operation, the software application can be used to search for a particular brand of drinking glass, a particular type of drinking glass, or a drinking glass with a particular Q value. This can be provided by an optional drinking glass database, which can, for example, contain a list of drinking glasses and their Q values ​​and provide an internet link to a website where they can be purchased. Purchases can also be made through a payment system within the software application.

[0025] The detailed operation of the software application is as follows: During setup mode, a first-time user may first be presented with a screen on the device similar to that shown in Figure 1. In this example, the screen border 30 occupies the area within this border, which in this example appears as a rectangle similar to the shape of a typical smartphone screen. This screen displays the machine title 1 "TestUrGlass," a brief description of the software application 2 "The Tap-and-Listen-to-Glass App," and a slogan 19 promoting the software application "Listen to Quality Glass!" At the bottom of this screen and other subsequent screens are three clickable links 18, 22, and 17 providing access to the current screen shown in Figure 1. In this example, these correspond to "Check Glass," "Info," providing access to further information related to the software application, and "History," providing access to past measurements taken with the software application. This screen also includes a button 3 with displayed instruction 14 "Start Listening Test." Pressing or clicking this button 3 or following displayed instruction 12 "How to Use" will take the user to the tutorial section of setup mode. As shown in the example in Figure 2, it contains tutorial instructions 13 for non-destructively striking a glass of drink, preferably in a suitable location below the rim, using a readily available object such as a pen or piece of cutlery.

[0026] Setup mode may also provide a clickable link to the beverage glass database mentioned above. This beverage glass database may contain, for example, a list of beverage glasses and their typical Q values, which can be used to search for a particular brand of beverage glass, a particular type of beverage glass, or a beverage glass with a particular Q value. This beverage glass database may also contain images of beverage glasses and their typical values ​​for reverberation time and resonance frequency. A non-exclusive list of examples of specific types of beverage glasses may include wine glasses, champagne glasses, whiskey glasses, sake glasses, or glass tumblers.

[0027] Tutorial instruction 13, displayed in the tutorial section of Setup Mode, instructs users to avoid incidental sources of background noise while recording. It also instructs users to place the device close to the drinking glass and not move it while recording. It further instructs users to firmly press the drinking glass against a relatively flat surface (e.g., a table) to ensure proper Q measurement. For wine glasses, users should preferably hold the glass by its stem; for stemless drinking glasses, holding it closer to the base will result in proper Q measurement. "Relatively flat" in this context refers to a surface that the device can rest on and that the drinking glass can be pressed against. Holding the drinking glass in this manner stabilizes the drinking glass during measurements, maintains a consistent distance between the drinking glass and the device, and, in the case of a wine glass, helps suppress low-frequency bending vibrations of the stem.

[0028] Tutorial instructions 13 displayed in the tutorial section of the setup mode also instruct users on which object to use to strike the drink glass, such as a pen or a piece of cutlery. These tutorial instructions 13 also advise users to avoid getting liquid in the drink glass during measurements. Adding liquid to the drink glass typically introduces additional acoustic damping, which can affect the resonant frequency. Users are also instructed to strike the drink glass well below its rim. This reduces the risk of damaging the rim, which is typically thinner than the lower point. Tutorial instructions 13 also advise users to avoid striking the drink glass excessively and to be quiet while the device is recording audio. The example tutorial section screen shown in Figure 2 includes an area for an explanatory image 21 that shows how to hold the drink glass, position the smartphone, and strike the drink glass. An example of the explanatory image 21 is shown in Figure 3. The text of the tutorial instructions for the example in Figure 2 is as follows: "Testing the quality of your glass is easy! Place your device next to an empty glass and place a piece of cutlery or a pen next to it. With one hand, firmly grasp the glass by the stem while it is still in contact with the table. If you are testing a tumbler, grasp it by the base. With your other hand, press the button on the screen to start the countdown: 3, 2, 1. Hold the piece of cutlery or the pen in this hand and, when the countdown reaches zero, hit the center of the glass. Hold the glass without making any more noise. That's it! Wait quietly for the results." These tutorial instructions also include a clickable link 23, in this example labeled "Close," to close the screen and accept the application software's terms of use. After accepting the terms of use, the user can return to the screen shown in Figure 1.The example image in Figure 3 includes a drinking glass 24, shown as a wine glass; a device 25, shown in this example as a smartphone; a user's hand 26, positioned on a relatively flat surface 29, holding the drinking glass 24; and an object 27, such as a piece of cutlery or a pen, in this example a fork, used to strike the drinking glass 24, which is positioned on the relatively flat surface 29, at a location 28 indicated by an arrow below the rim. Because different types of drinking glasses 24 require different locations for grasping and striking the drinking glass 24, a tutorial section may also display on the screen other ways of holding and striking the drinking glass 24. In the example in Figure 2, an example instruction would be, "If testing a tumbler, grasp it by the base."

[0029] After the user has read the tutorial section and agreed to the terms of use of the application software, they return to the screen shown in the example in Figure 1 and click button 3 on the displayed instruction 14 "Start tapping test." After the user has read the tutorial section and agreed to the terms of use of the application software, they press this button and a countdown begins on the screen. For example, 3, 2, 1, 0 are displayed in sequence every second. When this countdown reaches the set time, recording mode will automatically begin.

[0030] If the application software's setup mode is later used to perform additional testing of the drinking glass 24, the "Start Tap Test" button 3 no longer links to the tutorial section but always links directly to the countdown and recording mode. However, the user can conveniently review the tutorial section at any time by clicking link 12. The bottom of the screen also displays a clickable link 18 to the setup mode, which may be highlighted in a different color when the setup mode is being accessed, as shown in the example in Figure 1.

[0031] During recording mode, as soon as the number 1 appears, for example, device 25 activates acoustic recording, typically within a ±1 second range from time 0, to account for human error in the exact time of striking the drinking glass 24. A typical application software screen at time 0 during recording mode is shown in Figure 4. At this point, the instruction "Tap Now!" 4 appears, along with a time 0 indicator 20. The application software monitors the ringing sound emitted by the drinking glass 24 and records it in real time, consisting of an initial loud pulsating noise followed by a ring-down. This ringing sound is recorded by the application software as an audio signal representing the instantaneous amplitude of the sound. Recording mode has a specific duration, or recording time, that is variably set depending on the reverberation time of the drinking glass 24 being investigated. This specific duration, known as the recording time, is optimally calculated in real time by the application software during the measurement. Because a shorter recording time is advantageous for fast measurements, the recording mode can be set to end after a certain time interval, t, depending on the reverberation time of the drinking glass 24. The longer the reverberation time, the longer the required time interval t should be chosen. Also, in the next step described in the data analysis mode, it is advantageous not to include the initial pulse spike-like sound signal that occurs upon impact. As a typical example, the time interval t is set so that the decay of the sound intensity over that time corresponds to 0.04 times its value at the start of the data analysis mode. A typical screen of the software application corresponding to the recording time period is shown in Figure 5 and features the displayed message "Recording..." 5.

[0032] Once the recording mode is finished, the device 25 enters data analysis mode. This mode corresponds to the time during which the software application performs calculations on the instantaneous acoustic amplitude as a function of time acquired during recording mode and stored on the device 25, i.e., on a portion of the recorded acoustic signal. This acoustic amplitude typically exhibits an overall exponential decay with time, but may also exhibit pulsation due to the presence of two dominant n=2 vibrational modes. A typical screen display of the application software during data analysis mode is shown in Figure 6, indicating that the data is being processed using the displayed message "Calculating..." 6. It is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary, to exclude from the data the maximum acoustic intensity recorded at the moment of tapping the drinking glass 24. Extracting the Q factor from the acoustic response of the drinking glass 24, typically an acoustic signal dominated by two closely spaced n=2 vibrational modes, is related to extracting the Q factor from a body exhibiting a single acoustic resonance in the frequency range of interest. For example, for a single acoustic resonance, the Q factor can be determined in the time domain by measuring the mean vibration period t (=1 / f) and reverberation time T and using the relationship Q = πT / t, or in the frequency domain by using the relationship Q = f / Δf given the half-width Δf of the acoustic intensity resonance curve and the resonance frequency f. A typical duration of the data analysis mode is 5 seconds or less. In general, even for a drinking glass in which both n = 2 resonant vibration modes are excited, the Q factor of these two modes can be determined by fitting to two, possibly overlapping, acoustic resonances, as described below.

[0033] Figures 7, 8, and 9 show typical data recorded by a Lobmeyer Type III wine glass (a drinking glass example) showing a theoretical fit to a theoretical function based on a standard Gauss-Newtonian fitting. Measurements were taken under the following conditions: The wine glass was held by its stem and held in contact with a hard, flat surface. The bowl of the wine glass was struck at its largest point with a plastic pen. An iPhone 12 containing the software application that forms the subject of this patent was placed next to the wine glass. The iPhone 12 recorded the acoustic signal resulting from this tap. Figure 6 shows a plot of the time-domain acoustic signal as a function of time. The black curve between the two vertical dashed lines indicates the portion of the acoustic signal selected as the time analysis interval. Recording begins at the time defined as 0 seconds on this graph, which is when the software application's countdown reaches 0 seconds. In this data set, the user tapped the wine glass at 0.32 seconds, which is the point at which the spike in the acoustic signal is observed. Recording stops at 9.0 seconds. To avoid contamination of the analyzed acoustic signal by high frequency noise around 0.32 seconds, the analysis of the acoustic signal starts at 0.92 seconds. The analysis of the acoustic signal continues until 6.39 seconds, after which the amplitude of the acoustic signal decays significantly. Therefore, the time analysis interval is T IThis corresponds to a time interval of ∑ = 6.39 - 0.92 = 5.47 seconds. Figure 7 plots the absolute value of the Fourier transform of the time-domain acoustic signal versus frequency within the time analysis interval defined in Figure 6. The frequency range plotted in Figure 7, from 432.1 Hz to 443.7 Hz, corresponds to the selected frequency analysis interval and is conveniently chosen to include the two expected resonant peaks and a significant portion of their wings. Two peaks are clearly visible, corresponding to the two primary n=2 resonant vibration modes. Also shown as dotted lines in Figure 7 is a fit to this data based on the absolute value of the Fourier transform of the sum of two decaying exponential functions with the following parameters: Q = 3079.4, resonant frequencies f1 = 435.1 Hz and f2 = 437.6 Hz, and phases φ1 = 0 rad and φ2 = 0.65 rad. Defining h(t) as a unit step function (i.e., h(t)=0 for t<0 and h(t)=1 for t>=0), the mathematical formula for the fit of this data, where i is the square root of -1 and |X| denotes the absolute value of the complex number X, is: |U F (f)|= |FT(A[exp(-πf1t / Q)h(t)sin(2πf1t-φ1)]+B[exp(-πf2t / Q)h(t)sin(2πf2t-φ2)])| =|Aexp(iφ1) / [πf / Q+2πi(f-f1)]+Aexp(-iφ1) / [πf / Q+2πi(f+f1)] +Bexp(iφ2) / [πf / Q+2πi(f-f2)]+Bexp(-iφ2) / [πf / Q+2πi(f+f2)]| where |U F (f)| is the theoretical fit of the absolute value of the Fourier transform U(f) of the time-domain recorded acoustic signal u(t) over the selected time analysis interval, where f1 is the lower n=2 resonance frequency, f2 is the upper n=2 resonance frequency, and A and B are arbitrary fitting constants. For the best fit corresponding to the data in Figure 7, the ratio B / A is 1.17, which is the ratio of the amplitudes of the two peaks.

[0034] For the dominant peak at 437.6 Hz, the reverberation time calculated from this data is 2.24 seconds. The fit was performed using the Gauss-Newton least squares method to the data in Figure 7. This is done by fitting the sum of squared residuals, i.e., (U(f j )-U F (f j )) 2 where j is an integer index numbering each point in the frequency domain within the selected frequency analysis interval. In the example in Figure 7, this sum is performed over indices j=0 to 63. In this example, we minimize the maximum j, i.e., j in this example. max =63 is the selected frequency analysis interval Δf I = 443.66 - 432.13 = 11.53 Hz and the length of the time analysis interval shown in Figure 6, 5.461 seconds. max is j max =T I Δf I Figure 8 shows the absolute value of the analytic signal, defined as |u(t)+iH(t)| using the Hilbert transform, H. The analytic signal is derived from the data shown in Figure 7 over the frequency range shown. The frequency analysis interval is from 432.1 Hz to 443.7 Hz. By excluding other frequency components, the analytic signal in Figure 8 provides a filtered rendering of the ringing over a time interval corresponding to the recorded time-domain acoustic signal. The periodic fluctuations in the analytic signal are due to the acoustic pulsation of the two n=2 vibration mode frequencies. A fit to the absolute value of the analytic signal based on the frequency-domain data in Figure 7 is also shown in Figure 7, providing additional validation for the fitting process. In this example, the data was fitted using a single Q value for the two n=2 vibration modes; however, it is also possible to fit the Q value for each vibration mode individually. While the frequency domain was used to fit the Q value in this example, the fitting process could equally well be performed in the time domain using the recorded time-domain acoustic signal or the analytic signal.

[0035] The data analysis mode ends when the recorded data has been analyzed by the software application. If the Q-value measurement is successful, the Q-value is displayed on the screen based on the selected criteria, and optionally, the resonant frequency and / or reverberation time may also be displayed. The success of the Q-value measurement is determined by the criteria selected depending on the fitting, as described below. If the Q-value measurement is successful, the Q-value is displayed on the screen in the displayed Q-value display, and optionally, the resonant frequency of the dominant n=2 vibration mode or its reverberation time may also be displayed. For the data in Figures 7-9, the dominant n=2 vibration mode corresponds to a higher resonant frequency of 437.6 Hz. Generally, the displayed Q-value can be selected to be that of the low-frequency n=2 vibration mode, that of the high-frequency n=2 vibration mode, or that corresponding to the average of these two Q-values. It is also possible to display the Q-values ​​of both vibration modes. It is often easier to use a single Q-value that fits both modes, as in the examples in Figures 7-9. In this case, only this Q-value needs to be displayed. In addition to this information, one or both of the calculated reverberation times for these vibration modes can also be displayed. For example, if a drinking glass 24 exhibits perfect rotational symmetry, the frequencies of the n=2 vibrational modes will overlap, but in general these two frequencies will be very similar for a typical drinking glass 24, and the difference in their frequencies will be much smaller than their respective resonant frequencies.

[0036] The success of the Q-value measurement depends on the criterion chosen for the fitting. In the following example, if C is a positive constant less than 1, the selected criterion consists of a single criterion: TIFF2026001665000002.tif1576The summation here is over all values ​​of integer j in the frequency analysis interval. In the case of Figure 8, the summation is from j=0 to j max= 63. Possible choices for the selected constant C should be values ​​much smaller than 1, such as 0.01. In the example shown in Figure 8, the ratio shown on the left side of this equation is 0.0014, which is smaller than 0.01, so the selected criterion for a successful Q-factor measurement is met when C = 0.01. This is just one example of a suitable selection criterion. As engineers are familiar with, other similar criteria for a sufficiently good fit in the frequency domain may be formulated. The selected criterion for a successful Q-factor measurement can also be based on comparing the time-domain fit with a recorded time-domain acoustic signal or an analytical signal.

[0037] If the selected criteria for the Q-factor measurement are not met, a message will be displayed on the device 25, asking the user to repeat the Q-factor measurement. This corresponds to the case where the fitting is not accurate enough.

[0038] The Output Display Mode also provides access to the beverage glass database mentioned above via clickable links. Figure 10 shows an example of the application software screen corresponding to the Output Display Mode when the selection criteria for a successful Q-value measurement are met, which also corresponds to the examples in Figures 7–9. In the example shown in Figure 10, the Q-value display 8 is displayed, along with display 10, which indicates the resonant frequency of the dominant n=2 vibration mode—i.e., the mode with the largest acoustic amplitude. In the example shown in Figure 10, the Q-value display 8 reads "Q=1900." Also in Figure 10, the resonant frequency display 10 of the dominant n=2 vibration mode reads "Pitch=299Hz." Generally, the Q-value and resonant frequency can be displayed to any desired number of significant figures. This Output Display Mode screen also advantageously features a qualitative rating based on the Q-value 7, which corresponds to "Very Good!" in the example shown in Figure 10, and a comparison to an instrument or part of an instrument with a similar Q value 9. In the example shown in Figure 10, this corresponds to a violin string and includes an image of the instrument along with the text "Better than a violin string! Q=1700," where "Q=1700" is the Q value of a typical violin string. In this example, comparison 9 consists of text and an image of the instrument. There is also a clickable link 11, "Buy a Glass" in Figure 10, which provides access to a purchasing mode. Purchasing modes in application software are widely known in the prior art.

[0039] Figure 11 shows an example screen in the software application that corresponds to the output display mode when the selection criteria are not met, i.e., the Q-factor measurement is not successful. This screen includes a clickable link that prompts the user to repeat the Q-factor measurement; in this case, display 15 includes the text "Sorry, unable to determine Q-factor. Please try again." Clicking this link returns the user to setup mode, as shown in the example screen in Figure 1.

[0040] During operation of any purchase mode, device 25 may search for a particular brand of drinking glass, a particular type of drinking glass, or drinking glasses with a particular Q-value and provide clickable internet links that are clickable within the application software and include links to internet sites where the drinking glasses can be purchased. The purchase mode may also provide clickable links that access a database of such drinking glasses, followed by links to internet sites where the drinking glasses can be purchased. The purchase mode may also provide a payment system within the application software for purchasing drinking glasses.

[0041] Provision can also be made for audio output operation of software applications for people with visual impairments, in which case the device 25 can respond to voice commands and provide a Q-valued audio output.

[0042] Other possible, but not essential, features of the software application include: information on the definition of the Q value, information on similar Q values ​​of musical instruments, precautions to take when striking the drinking glass to avoid damaging it, a photograph or labeled image of the drinking glass showing its parts (such as the rim, bowl, stem, and bottom of the wine glass), and information on how to read the brand name of the wine glass, which is usually located at the bottom.

[0043] Some features of the software application, such as measuring Q-factors, can be selected free of charge at no cost to the user, while other features, such as access to a beverage glass database, may incur a fee.

[0044] The application software typically also includes a history mode that displays details of a series of measurements made by the application software. For example, a list of Q-value measurements made by the user can be displayed, along with the date and time of the test. Optionally, the user can enter the test location and name of the drinking glass 24, and can also click the camera icon 16 shown in Figure 10 to enter a photo of the drinking glass 24 tested into the history mode. A clickable link 17 to the history mode may be provided at the bottom of the screen, allowing access to the history mode.

[0045] To demonstrate the operation of this software on an iPhone 12 smartphone, measurements were taken of 24 nominally round-rimmed drinking glasses of 137 different varieties acquired from two department stores in Japan. Figure 10 shows a plot of the calculated Q-factor of the highest acoustic amplitude n=2 vibration mode as a function of the listed purchase price, in Japanese yen, including tax, for a set of 24 of these drinking glasses acquired in February and March 2023. During the data analysis phase, the acoustic response was analyzed in the frequency domain to obtain the Q-factor. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] This software application will help manufacturers of drinking glasses test their quality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Q-factor, in this case a dimensionless number that describes the resonant quality of a glass of drink. 2. Drinking glass. A drinking vessel made of glass. 3. An object, commonly held by hand, used to strike a drinking glass, such as a pen or an item of cutlery. 4 Devices, including smartphones, tablet computers, or portable computers such as personal computers, laptop computers. 5 Software application. Software code used to run a device. Sometimes called an app.

Claims

1. In software applications that enable devices to: - recording the ringing of the acoustic resonance response caused by a user non-destructively tapping an object on a drinking glass; - calculating the Q value from the recorded acoustic signal; a software application providing said user with knowledge of said calculated Q-values ​​and enabling said user to evaluate said glass of drink based on said knowledge.

2. 10. The software application of claim 1, further comprising: facilitating the user to purchase glasses of the same brand or type of beverage based on knowledge of the measured Q value.

3. 10. The software application of claim 1, further comprising, based on knowledge of the calculated Q value, facilitating the purchase of a glass of the same brand or type of beverage as the glass being measured by the software application through an internet link provided by the software application.

4. 10. The software application of claim 1, wherein the modes of operation include: - "Setup Mode" describes the functionality of a software application that generates a countdown triggered by a button displayed on the device and, when the countdown ends, taps the object against the drink glass to generate the ringing sound; "Recording mode" records the acoustic signal of the ringing sound; - "Data Analysis Mode" analyzes the recorded acoustic signals; - "Display Output Mode" displays the calculated Q-factor as a result of analysis of the recorded acoustic signal, or displays instructions to the user to re-measure the Q-factor if analysis of the recorded acoustic signal does not result in a sufficiently accurate value for the calculated Q-factor; - "History mode" displays details of a series of measurements made by the software application; - A "purchase mode" is a software application characterized in that it allows the user to purchase a glass of the drink of a known brand or type.

5. 10. The software application of claim 1, wherein the object used to strike the glass of beverage comprises a pen or an item of cutlery.

6. 10. The software application of claim 1, wherein the user is also provided with knowledge of the measured reverberation time or resonant frequency of the glass of the beverage.

7. 2. The software application of claim 1, wherein the calculated Q-factor is derived in the frequency domain by fitting a time Fourier transform of the recorded acoustic signal with a theoretical fit based on a time Fourier transform of a combination of two exponentially damped sinusoidal oscillations at different frequencies, amplitudes and phases; - fitting a combination of two exponentially decaying sinusoidal oscillations of different frequencies, amplitudes and phases in the time domain; - A software application characterized in that it is fitted in the time domain by using an analytical signal based on the combination of two exponentially damped sinusoidal oscillations of different frequencies, amplitudes and phases.

8. 8. A software application according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that if the fit is not sufficiently accurate according to selected criteria, the software application determines that the calculated Q value is not sufficiently accurate and notifies the user that the Q value measurement should be repeated.

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